Developing Responsible Digital Citizens

At CBA, we incorporate Digital Citizenship into our technology curriculum at every grade level.  We believe that teaching our students to be responsible online is imperative to their overall well-being and development.

Digital Citizenship is a concept which helps teachers, technology leaders and parents to understand what students/children/technology users should know to use technology appropriately. Digital Citizenship is more than just a teaching tool; it is a way to prepare students/technology users for a society full of technology. Digital Citizenship is the norms of appropriate, responsible technology use.  Too often we are seeing students as well as adults misusing and abusing technology but not sure what to do. The issue is more than what the users do not know but what is considered appropriate technology usage. http://digitalcitizenship.net/Home_Page.html

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What are the key components of being a good digital citizen?

Common Sense Media gives five key factors, “protect private information, stay safe online, respect yourself and others, stand up to cyber bullying, and balance time with electronics.”

What is the first step students can take to being a good digital citizen?

The first step is to pause and think before posting anything. We live in such a fast-paced society, where we are often multi-tasking and responding instantly. Because the words we write cannot be taken back, literally, it’s important that we think them through carefully. They should ask themselves questions like: Am I being kind and respectful? Will I still stand behind what I’m saying at a later time, especially if it is an emotional response?  Am I protecting private information? Could what I write be taken in a way other than I mean it?

What should students think about before they post a picture online?

They should think about the fact that anything placed online is permanent and can be shared with the world. www.commonsense.org offers some questions to ask before sharing a picture.

• Is it a good photo?
• Would others agree?
• Could it get anyone into trouble?
• Am I aware that anyone can share it?
• Would I be OK with my grandma seeing it?
• A year from now, or 5-10 years from now, will I feel good about making this public?

Click here for more resources, information and tools on how to help your child develop into a responsible digital citizens.