Cyber Safety and Digital Citizenship in Schools

When I was in school, the approach to teach us about cyber safety or digital citizenship was to bring in various outside sources. The presenters would set up in the gym and do a presentation to the whole school. The presentations were very interactive, and they would share real-life stories and videos, have interactive Q&As at the end of the presentation, and give out little prizes for people who got answers correct and if they were paying attention. A lot of the presentations were on how to properly use social media and digital tools, and they really focused on the fact that once you post something online, it is there forever, so you have to be mindful of what you post, as there are implications for your online actions. Even though the presentations were educating students on how to use technology appropriately, there were also elements of scare tactics. They would talk about cyberbullying, the long-term impact of posting inappropriate content, and identity theft, and would often exaggerate many of the stories to try to scare us and make sure that they left an impression on us.

This approach was good because the whole school was educated on cyber safety. Additionally, bringing outside sources into the school was beneficial because it ensured the students had all the necessary information. With outside sources specializing in cyber safety or digital citizenship, you knew they regularly dealt with cyber safety issues and were current with the digital age. Furthermore, bringing outside sources into the school was good because the presentations were interactive and kept students focused and engaged while covering various topics.

In my opinion, the most helpful and effective approaches are the interactive ones that share relatable examples. Cyber safety should also be taught in schools throughout the year, as it should be an ongoing conversation rather than a one-time event. A single presentation once a year is not the best approach, as the students may forget the information and underestimate its importance. Integrating it throughout the school year ensures that the students retain the information and that it stays relevant. While scare tactics can get students’ attention and be effective, the primary focus should be on educating students about the proper use of digital tools and how to safely navigate the digital world.

In conclusion, bringing in outside sources can be beneficial to educating students about cyber safety, as it provides them with an engaging presentation and credible information. Integrating continuous education about cyber safety and digital citizenship throughout the year would be most beneficial for the students and would also contribute to a safer environment for all. Thanks for reading!