Tool #11

Digital Citizenship

1. Security - It's very important that kids have a sense of what they need to do to be safe as they dive into the internet. It is a big deal and assuming kids know not to give out information is a costly mistake. We know our students are careful in day to day life but looking at a computer screen instead of a face could give them a false sense of security! It's really easy to type things that are hard to say. Kids need to be taught to guard their personal information and identity from people they could meet online. I would start with the Brain Pop video and continue with a community circle on cares concerns and questions about internet safety.

2. Cyber Bullying - What it is and how it effects people. I think kids might be drawn to participate in these kinds of activities because of some of the same things I mentioned above. They feel secure behind the screen and not face to face. They might think that their identity is hidden or they won't get caught. Kids need to be aware of what it is and the consequences of these actions. Another reason to bring it to their attention is that they might be the victim already and not think that they can do anything about the bullying. It is their responsibity as a cyber citizen to be respectful and sensitive as they should be in everyday life. Having a classroom environment where kids feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and fears is important to the discussion of cyber bullying. I would start with a community circle on bullying and how it makes us feel, then I would show the brain pop on Cyber bullying and follow up with questions to start conversations about cyber bullying.

3. Social community guidelines - I think it is important to talk to our students about being a member of a social community. They may think that they can post whatever to the site and it's no big deal. They need to know that it can be retrieved and possibly used against them for a job they might want or a college they might want to go to! Have a lesson on what kinds of things would be appropriate to share and what might be better left off.