Digital Citizenship - Engaging in Conversation with Kids

Teaching our children about digital citizenship is a 24/7 job. Every time they use a piece of technology, there is the opportunity to discuss appropriate ways to use the tool. It is also important to discuss when technology is being used inappropriately and engage your children in honest conversation about their options and possible consequences of their actions. Here are some role-playing scenarios to help start conversation about the nine themes of digital citizenship.

Scenario 1: A friend stumbled upon a website at home with inappropriate pictures. The next day at school, he pulls up the site in the library after school and shares it with you. How do you respond? (Digital Access)

Scenario 2: You want a subscription to a game site but need your parents’ credit card. Dad is out working in the yard and his wallet is sitting on the kitchen counter. (Digital Commerce)

Scenario 3: You had a bad day at school. When you get home you went straight to Facebook and posted some negative comments about a teacher to share with your friends. What can happen? (Digital Communication)

Scenario 4: You have a science research project due in a few days but you are having trouble finding information. What resources are available?

(Digital Literacy)

Scenario 5: Two friends have a sleepover where they make dance videos together. After the sleep over, one friend decides to post the videos to You Tube without permission. (Digital Etiquette)

Scenario 6: A student leaves her computer without logging out of her email account. Another student walks by, sees the "open" account, and sends vicious emails using the other girl's identity. You see everything that has happened. What are your options? (Digital Law)

Scenario 7: A number of your friends have Facebook accounts but your parents say you are too young. A friend offers to make an account for you. What are the consequences? (Digital Rights and Responsibilities)

Scenario 8: You like to go bed at 9:30 but your friends go to bed later than you. They wake you up with their late night messaging. (Digital Health and Wellness)

Scenario 9: You begin getting text messages from a number you don't recognize. (Digital Security)

Scenario 10: You get a message from someone you just met online playing games. What information is OK to give them? What should you watch out for? (Digital Security)

Raising a Digital Child

With the introduction of iPads into the daily routines of our Middle and Upper School students, faculty are, more than ever, focused on helping their students become responsible and ethical users of technology and media.  We strive every day to help our students become good digital citizens.

Digital citizenship is defined as the expected behavior of individuals as they use responsible practices with regard to technology. As a way to better understand the complexity of digital citizenship and the issues of technology use, abuse, and misuse, the International Society for Technology in Education has identified nine general areas of accepted practices that make up digital citizenship.

1.   Etiquette: electronic standards of conduct or procedure

2.   Communication: electronic exchange of information

3.   Education: the process of teaching and learning about technology and the use of technology

4.   Access: full electronic participation

5.   Commerce: electronic buying and selling of goods

6.   Responsibility: electronic responsibility for actions and deeds

7.   Rights: those freedoms extended to everyone in a digital world

8.   Safety: physical well being in a digital technology world

9.   Security (self-protection): electronic precautions to guarantee safety

Faculty and parents need to serve as role models each and every day in the nine areas listed above, and we must think about what is developmentally appropriate at all times. Here are some websites, articles and books to get you started learning more about raising a good cyber citizen.

Raising a Digital Child by Mike Ribble

Digital Community, Digital Citizen by Jason Ohler

Rules of the Road for Parents in a Digital Age

Our Space: Being a Responsible Digital Citizen of the World

Digital Citizenship – Using Technology Appropriately