Most Important Digital Citizenship Tips for Students

My 2nd-5th grade students are finishing up a project about digital citizenship. The 2nd and 3rd graders are brainstorming manners which should be used using digital technology, the 4th graders are presenting ways to protect and portray themselves online and 5th graders are discussing mistakes that other people make with digital devices. I thought after they present their projects to the class, I would present the Top 5 Ways to Be A Good Digital Citizen. This is my way of covering some online manners and safety tips which the students did not think of.

Here is my question: What would you include in your Top 5 Ways to be a Good Digital Citizen?

Please respond whatever your teaching situation! Maybe you are a teacher who teaches older students and could give me some insight! Maybe you are a parent also who has children at home which are in elementary! I would love to have some insight from others.

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Permalink Reply by Amanda Laytham on September 18, 2011 at 1:08pm

Amy, Your project here seems really interesting. Digital citizenship is something that easily gets overlooked, but is so important when we are trying to prepare digital natives. I was just thinking about my top 5...

1) digital etiquette- avoiding using all caps, rereading wording

2) being careful to not disclose personal information (even on networking sites like Facebook)

3) knowing what to do when something doesn't feel right (avoiding sexual predators)

4) following procedures/regulations on personal and school computers

5) using the computer in an appropriate manner

At my school, the computer teacher creates a contract for the students to take home and before they can use the school computers, they have to have their parent signature. I really like that she started this because it gives her time to discuss what using the computer looks and sounds like.

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Permalink Reply by Michael on September 18, 2011 at 8:35pm

I agree with Amanda; digital citizenship is a great topic for children to learn to learn at an early age. If I had to choose, my top five ways to be a good digital citizen would be the following:

1) Never send or post your personal information (i.e. last name, home address, telephone number) or the personal information of a friend or classmate.

2) Never engage in cyber bullying, personal attacks, or any other form of online harassment.

3) Never engage in an online conversation with someone without first getting a parent or teacher's permission.

4) Never intentionally send a program or file that could harm another person’s computer (i.e. viruses, spyware, malware, spam, etc.).

5) Never use inappropriate or offensive language in any message that is to be sent or posted (i.e. e-mail, text, chat, IM, comments, talkbacks, etc.).

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Permalink Reply by lauren zarlenga on September 22, 2011 at 1:25pm

1.Never engange in cyber bullying(explain what cyber bullying is )

2. Never use inapporoate language

3. Follw the regulations of the school about where you should be going

4.Don't disclouse personal information

5. Be considerate of others

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Permalink Reply by Amy Dobbins on September 22, 2011 at 5:09pm

Thanks for your feedback! My kids actually came up with many of these themselves! I want to be better at expressing these to the parents of my students and your lists have helped me with this. Thanks again!