Digital Citizenship - How Do You Treat Others Online?

So many kids are engaged in playing online games with other kids these days. Yet, often this type of social media has it's downside. When kids are in situations where they are interacting with each other, the chances are increased that the interactions will be negative. As with any type of play, unless kids understand the consequences of their words and actions, hurt feelings will prevail.

As with face-to-face play, online games still have the same rules; treat others as you want to be treated.

This digital citizenship video from Common Sense Media is a good reminder of how a child should behave when online.

Check out Common Sense Media for more videos, blog posts and articles for parents and teachers about how to help children navigate the online community and use digital tools in a safe and effective way.

ICT Strands and Digital Citizenship Pledge

The ICT Strands are categories which show the purpose of using devices for learning.

Digital Citizenship Pledges are promises which all students at RIS will agree to when using their devices online.

When students bring their devices to school , they bring it to use as a tool for learning. There are many ways we use devices to help us learn. The students have spent some time in class thinking about this and sharing their knowledge about ways in which devices help us learn. 

After understanding the purpose of having devices in school, they also learn that it is a privilege to have deices in school.  With privilege comes responsibility. Therefore, all students who use devices online need to know, understand and agree to the Digital Citizenship Pledge. This pledge came from Common Sense Media website (link is on the left side of the blog). 

Prior to agreeing to the Digital Citizenship Pledge, students will know what each statement; LOOKS LIKE, SOUNDS LIKE AND FEELS LIKE. In this way, they will be able to follow the pledge and help each other to follow it as well.

Catching Up With Our Kids

How Much Our Kids Love Digital Devices

Above is a link to a recent Huffington Post article about the growth of device use among children in the last 2 years.

As we see the use of mobile devices grow, our children are becoming more and more tech-savvy and as their guardians, teachers and parents, it is our responsibility to keep up with them. Part of our job is to engage in discussions with our children about what they are doing when they are using their devices. Ask them to show you and teach you what they have learned. You will be amazed at their knowledge! Let them be your guide as you both explore the wonders of the digital world on the internet. It's a place of many possibilities as well as dangers. Help guide your child to be a responsible digital citizen.

At our school, we are beginning this journey with digital citizenship pledges.

1. Communicate responsibly and kindly with one another
2. Protect our own and other's private information online
3. Stand up to cyber bullying
4. Respect each other's ideas and opinions
5. Give proper credit when we use other's work.

We have also shown the children this video from Common Sense Media website (the web address link is on the sidebar) which reminds the children of their responsibility to Stop and Think before they post anything online.

Please watch it with your children and begin a discussion about responsible behavior online. (click on the live link to the video below)

Pause and Think Online