Digital citizenship
Every day, your students are tested with each post, search, chat, text message, file download, and profile update. Do they connect with like minds or spill too much information? Do they behave creatively or borrow ideas recklessly? Do they respect relationships or inadvertently damage reputations?
While students and teachers alike are anxious to integrate new learning tools into the classroom, we must err on the side of caution. It is our responsibility to empower our students by giving them the fundamental lessons in digital citizenship.
Students must enter the world of social media and digital media with a good defense. They must understand the repercussions of irresponsibly using social and digital media and what affects it may have on their future. Give students time to use the device, but make sure they understand that the device is an outlet to many new avenues.
The best offense always begins with a solid defense and is directly applicable to responsible use of classroom technology and social media. While we want our students to get out there and use new and emerging technologies, we need to give them the fundamentals to play the best defense. Educate, before you integrate.
Have students watch the Internet Safety video at BrainPop, Jr.
More resources to teach digital citizenship
- The National Criminal Justice Reference Service
- Common Sense Media
- Wired Safety
- Disney's Parent Guide to Internet Safety
- iSafe
- NetSmartz