Student Life
Wellness
Digital Citizenship
What is digitial citizenship? What does it mean to be a “good” digital citizen? And has their definiton shifted in the new virtual world we find ourselves living in?
If you ask any Winsor student if they know what “digital citizenship” means, most would emphatically reply of course–it’s something we learn about in 5th and 6th grade! Winsor believes in the importance of teaching students to use, act, and behave appropriately with technology because it has became woven into every day life, and we recognize that it impacts students emotionally, physically and socially.
Over the course of the past two weeks, I’ve found myself asking two questions: In this new norm, do students need a reminder of what it means to be a good digital citizen? And do the adults (essentially their role models) need a reminder as well?
I always turn to Common Sense Media for accurate, reliable and up to date advice on media, and this short Common Sense Media video does a good job explaining what is digital citizenship. Essentaill, “It’s a way of thinking, being and acting online, and it’s thinking critically and not trusting everything you see online. It’s about being safe with who you connect with and acting responsibly on how you communicate.”
This past week in health classes we asked the students to think about the choices they are making in the digital world and reflect on how they impact themselves, their family, peers and others. This not only includes how they are behaving in virtual school but also how they are communicating, using social media, and balancing their digital use in their everyday lives. We want these behaviors and actions to have a positive impact.
As parents, guardians and adult role models I encourage you to think about what type of digital citizen you are and have a family discussion over dinner or on the weekend. This current world is new to everyone, and talking about it makes it easier for all of us to navigate and most importantly, as parents and adults, it reminds us to be good role models.
Additional resources:
Click here to find information and to listen to Mike Rubble, a digital citizenship expert and author of the 9 Elements of Digital Citizenship.
Other resources:
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