In a world where the use of social media platforms, like tiktok and snapchats (just to name a few) and online technology is the norm, it’s kind of non-negotiable for students to be educated on how to appropriately conduct themselves online and understand how their online behaviors can have an impact (positive or negative) on others. I truly believe that teaching kids how to be good citizens, particularly how to be good digital citizens is super important! Right from the get-go, like the 2nd day of classes, introducing and explaining digital citizenship along with the class expectations is a very reasonable approach to take in a middle year’s classroom. Grade 6-9 students mostly have access to an online device at school, probably a laptop or a chrome book. Helping them understand that having these devices within their reach is a privilege that comes with a great sense of responsibility. Explaining what it means to be a good citizen in our neighborhoods is a very practical way of helping kids understand that goodness comes from within, but it takes discipline! Once the kids grasp this idea, then I can move to a bigger idea which is being a good citizen of a country, and eventually the world. I can then tie these principles to what it means to be a good digital citizen. Just like being a good neighbor means respecting property boundaries, being a good digital citizen according to Mike Ribble is having proper digital etiquette, which includes modeling good behavior and helping kids decide on what content they want to post online. Character Education for the Digital Age by Jason Ohler also talks about The Need for Character Education. This resource is very much applicable to our online and offline community. When adults model good and acceptable behavior, we encourage our students to make smart choices and to take into consideration how their actions affect other people’s feelings. I also zoomed in on the idea of cellphone hotels as mentioned in Dr. Hildebrant’s lecture on digital citizenship. I think this is a brilliant way to encourage kids to let their devices ‘rest’ while they work. I observed, working as an EA, that when you ask kids to put their phones away, like in their backpacks or in their lockers, they seem to feel more resistant to doing it. However, when the teacher asks them to deposit it in a spot where they can still see their devices, even though they cannot touch it, they are more open to the idea of doing it. I like the idea of a reward system than scare-tactics… I mean even for us as grownups! We want to be recognized for what we have done well rather than be reprimanded. And I’m pretty sure that our students would feel the same way. Modeling acts of kindness encourages kids to become better.
Teaching the nine elements of digital citizenship by Mike Ribble involves equipping students with the skills and knowledge to navigate the digital world responsibly. In addition to these concepts, the idea that social media platforms are part of who we are is expanded in Nathan Jurgenson’s article The IRL Fetish. These resources will help us to support our students in navigating the ins and outs of digital citizenship. By promoting digital access to ensuring student’s safety in the digital world, teachers can provide guidance through activities and discussions that address key aspects of online behavior, etiquette, and safety. By integrating these elements into classroom instruction, students learn to be wise and ethical digital citizens, equipped to make positive contributions to online communities while protecting their digital identities and well-being.
Here’s my take on teaching these 9 elements of digital citizenship in a middle year’s classroom.
Digital Access: I can ensure that students can access digital resources and technology in a way that would allow my students to engage and learn from online resources. Also introducing them to the idea of remote learning that they might utilize in higher educational settings.
Digital Commerce: Although this element is not mostly used in classroom settings as mentioned by Dr. Hildebrandt, it is important to teach students about responsible online shopping and financial transactions. Classroom activities can include discussions on safe online purchasing and how to make informed choices in the digital marketplace.
Digital Communication: Teaching middle years students effective and respectful communication skills in their online interactions. Role-playing activities and group discussions can hopefully help students understand the importance of being respectful all the time. That even at times when we do not agree with what has been shared online- we can still respectfully disagree. Responding to online messages or choosing to stay quiet rather than lashing out is another way to educate kids how to properly conduct themselves digitally.
Digital Etiquette: Teaching students that good manners apply to all aspects of our interactions (online or offline). Prompts that would get students thinking about how they conduct themselves online can be utilized. Some resources for this activity can be found on we are teachers along with other relatable materials for teaching digital citizenship.
Digital Literacy: Equipping students in the middle years to use digital information effectively by engaging them in projects that require them to analyze a digital media and use their critical thinking skills to reflect on the media piece.
Digital Law: Utilize online platforms to create quizzes and challenges that test students’ knowledge of digital laws and regulations. Incorporate gamified activities such as leaderboards and rewards to make learning engaging and motivating.
Digital Rights and Responsibilities: Foster an understanding of digital citizenship rights and responsibilities. Teachers can facilitate discussions on topics such as freedom of speech and privacy protection and establish discussion groups where they can explore controversial topics related to digital rights and responsibilities. By encouraging respectful dialogue students can think critically about balancing security and freedom.
Digital Health and Wellness: Promote physical and mental well-being in digital spaces. Teachers can teach students about healthy technology habits, such as managing screen time, practicing digital mindfulness, and maintaining positive online relationships. Classroom activities can include reflection exercises, self-assessments, and discussions on digital balance and self-care. A practical activity that can be done for this element is a Digital Detox Challenge where students are encouraged to limit their screen time and engage in offline activities for a set period, such as a weekend or a week. Provide them with resources and suggestions for alternative activities such as reading, outdoor sports, or creative hobbies. After completing the challenge, facilitate a reflection session where students share their experiences and insights gained from disconnecting from digital devices.
Digital Security: Empower students to protect their personal information and devices from online threats. Teachers can teach students about cybersecurity best practices, such as creating strong passwords and securing privacy settings. Students can engage in activities that simulate real-world security scenarios and learn practical strategies for staying safe online. Inviting guest speakers such as cybersecurity experts or law enforcement professionals to share their knowledge and expertise on cybersecurity with the class. Provide opportunities for students to ask questions and engage in discussions about cybersecurity threats and strategies for protection.
These are additional resources for you to check out!
Digital Citizenship Resources for the Elementary Classroom
Digital Citizenship- Things Explained
Digital Citizenship- What is it!?
Gamified Activities on Digital Citizenship
Increase Digital Citizenship in Your Classroom
How to Promote Digital Citizenship in Students
Hello Rowena!
Your blog post on cyber safety is both timely and essential. You effectively underscore the importance of educating individuals about staying safe online, especially as our reliance on digital platforms grows. Your critique of the fear-based approach to teaching cyber safety highlights a significant issue, and your call for a more balanced and informative method is well-founded. By advocating for honest and comprehensive education on both the dangers and benefits of the internet, you emphasize the need to equip children and teenagers with the knowledge to navigate the online world responsibly. Your focus on privacy, cyberbullying, scams, and managing digital footprints offers a thorough overview of critical cyber safety areas. This thoughtful and practical perspective is invaluable for fostering a safer digital environment. Great job!
Hi Nikol!
Thank you for your kind words! I’m really glad you liked the blog post. It’s super important to teach people how to stay safe online, especially with everything moving to digital platforms. Scaring people isn’t really the best way to do it. Instead, we need to give them a balanced view of the good and bad stuff online, so they can make smart choices. It’s awesome to hear that you found it helpful!
Hey Rowena, I must check out the additional resources you added to your blog. You are seriously so great at digging up valuable resources (which I appreciate). I like the idea of a digital detox…I think most adults could actually benefit from one of these every once in a while.
Thank you, Sabrina! I’m glad you find the resources helpful. And yes, a digital detox can definitely be refreshing. It’s amazing how much we can benefit from unplugging every now and then.