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