Digital Citizenship is a necessary topic that needs to be discussed frequently with students.  Whether you are using technology in your classroom or not, students are using it everyday.  Kids have DSi, iPods, cell phones and computers at home that allow them access to communicate with others.  We should not be naïve in thinking that parents are teaching digital citizenship at home.  Many parents are not aware of the potential mischief their child can get into on the internet. 

My presentation focuses on the power and impact that digital citizenship plays in our kids everyday life.  One of the most powerful slides is the "Weapons of Mass Distraction."  Not only are the social tools a distraction for our students, it is also a place where destruction can happen.  Destruction of a child's self esteem, destruction of friendships and possibly lives in the future when photos or comments can haunt them when they are applying for colleges or seeking employment.






I believe that it is the job of parents to teach their children about social responsibility, however in today's world, with today's technology and tools available to kids, teachers must also take responsibility to provide leadership and set the example for using the internet to communicate.

The YouTube video is an excerpt from CommonSense.com's presentaion about Digital Responsibility.  It gives adults an inside view of online communication from kids.  Cyber bullying is a real threat in today's world and should be a part of any bullying program in your schools.  This video is an eye opener for parents, especially the photo of the young girl posing with her teddy bear.  It is not okay for kids to be taking pictures of themselves and posting them on Facebook!

Another compelling point in my presentation is the story about Max and "What Facebook Knows About You."  It is an awakening of how much data can be collected from one person.  Not only is the data collected about you, but also everyone you have "friended."  Big brother is watching you!

I teach grades 3-5 computers at a small school.  My first class was about digital citizenship.  For the third graders I had them take a pledge and gave them a Digital Citizen card when they passed their test.  The kids thought it was cool and brought them home to show their parents.  I conducted a discussion forum for the fourth and fifth graders where the students discussed their knowledge and concerns about communicating on the internet.  Many topics came up including how kids bully on the internet, what information is not cool to post or tell someone and about asking permission before you use someone else's information or images.  I directed the discussion around the 9 elements of digital citizenship and then tested their knowledge.  For all of my classes, I periodically review what it means to be a good digital citizen, especially when we are covering topics that I can directly correlate into the curriculum.

Digital citizenship is the responsibility of us all.  It is very much a part of learning the social skills of today.  What is right and wrong.  What is acceptable or not.