Tool #11

Digital Citizenship

We spend the first few weeks of school teaching our kiddos about safety and good manners. I think it is also important to teach them about "digital" safety.

I agree in the fact that most of these kiddos do not know the appropriate way to use these technologies. They need to have a role model to teach them what is appropriate and what is not.

Teachable Safety Tip #1
Stranger Danger

The kids need to know that they can come across strangers on the Internet as well. They first need to know what to do if they are approached by a stranger in a chat room or on the blog.

I love the Internet safety poster that CoolCatTeacher has but for primary kids it needs to be simplified.

1) Stop - If you come across a stranger that is bothering you stop what you are doing. Do not chat with them.

2) Tell - If the stranger does not leave you alone or says inappropriate things, you need to tell the teacher.

Teachable Safety Tip #2
Don't Share your Passwords

Just like the kids learn not to share their lunch numbers, they need to learn not to share their id and password. We need to only use our own login.

Teachable Safety Tip #3
Everything you Type is seen by Others

Lastly, I think it is important to teach the kids that we have to constantly make good choices when it comes to what we type on the Internet. They need to understand that their choices are seen by others and we need to make sure that we are making good choices when it comes to technology. That way we can constantly use and enjoy it in the future.