Cybersafety: Digital Citizenship 101

Cybersafety is the ability to act in a safe and responsible manner while using connected technology. These behaviors protect personal information and reputation and include safe practices to minimize danger from behavioral-based, rather than hardware/software-based, problems. [1]

The goal in teaching cybersafety is to help children:

• Recognize online risks, make informed decisions, and take appropriate actions to protect themselves. This includes helping your child know how to identify potentially dangerous online situations and how to appropriately avoid or report them. For example, posting offensive material, “friending” strangers, posting private information, and engaging in or failing to report cyberbullying.
• Make informed decisions about appropriate protection methods and safe practices in a variety of online situations. This includes helping children understand the importance of following Terms Of Use guidelines, disciplined and productive use of Internet time, safely exiting an inappropriate site, and avoiding cyberbullying.
• Demonstrate and advocate for safe behaviors among peers, family, and community.

This includes helping and encouraging children to model cybersafety for their friends and others in the community. [1]

Keep Current
You don’t have to be a computer expert to keep your child safe online. Begin by discussing basic principles of cybersafety with your child. These principles should be taught over time in an age appropriate manner, so as you learn—you can share this knowledge with your family. Pick a topic each month or week to learn about then discuss it with your family. You can all learn together.

Keep Communicating
Establish clear guidelines and expectations. Talk about elements of cybersafety whenever you and your child are using technology. Or at the dinner table. Or while driving in the car. Or during family meeting. These discussions don’t have to be lengthy. Make them fun and interactive. Ask what questions your children have and look for solutions together.

Keep Checking
Whenever a new connected technology comes into the house, or whenever a child opens a social networking or blogging account, have them discuss the terms of use with you before they begin using it. Be “friends” with your children on online networks so that you can be involved with their online activities and help monitor their healthy use of the technology.

Ask your children to role play what to do if a dangerous situation presents itself online. Practice strategies for safely navigating these situations and/or preventing them from happening.

References
Internet Safe Coalition. (2009). C3 Matrix: Digital Citizenship. http://www.curriki.org/xwiki/bin/download/Coll_iKeepSafe/iKeepSafeC3Matrix/C3%20Matrix.pdf

Additional Resources
Online Safety and Technology Working Group. (2010, June). Youth Safety on a Living Internet. http://www.ntia.doc.gov/reports/2010/OSTWG_Final_Report_060410.pdf
Cyberbullying Research Center. http://www.cyberbullying.us/