Internet Safety and Digital Citizenship
One strategy that teachers can implement is reviewing the county's policy with the students so that they understand that there are policies in place to keep them safe, and that they are also accountable for their actions. Students need to know that it is not just the teacher's rules and procedures that are important, but that their internet safety is a concern of the school and district, as it can affect (and be affected by) anyone they connect with or share information with online.
Another strategy for teachers would be creating guidelines for using technology in their specific classroom. Rules and procedures concerning cyberbullying and privacy could help ensure that students know teachers are aware of what can occur online, and that privileges will be changed if they do not comply with acceptable use. Within this strategy, students could be encouraged to contribute to classroom policies, so that they feel a sense of ownership about their privacy and protection. Making students aware of apps such as KnowBullying could further address what bullying is, how to prevent and address it, while offering a way to start conversations and keep the lines of communication open.
A third strategy would be to share all of this information with parents, so that everyone is on the same page regarding student internet safety. When students and parents both understand the concept of digital citizenship, and students know that their parents are in support of county and classroom policies, everyone is more likely to have appropriate interactions that are safe and acceptable.
One resource that teachers could share with students and parents is the website Educational Technology and Mobile Learning, which offers links to videos for teaching students about internet safety and digital citizenship. The following video explains the importance of digital citizenship and literacy in a way that resonates with teachers and parents.
Global Collaboration
References
Educatorstechnology. (2013, October 26). 5 Excellent Videos to Teach Your Students about Digital Citizenship. Educational Technology and Mobile Learning.
Knutson, J. (2018). What is COPPA? Retrieved from Common Sense Education:
https://www.commonsense.org/education/articles/what-is-coppa
Muthler, S. (2015, April 4). Online safety: A teacher's guide to dealing with cyberbullying, sexting,
and student privacy [Blog post]. Edudemic. Retrieved from
https://schoolleadership20.com/forum/topics/online-safety-a-teacher-s-guide-to-dealing-with-
cyberbullying-sex