Journal 7

Digital Citizenship
By Anita McAnear

This article also discusses the importance of students becoming technologically advanced, and at the same level. Digital citizenship gives students the means and knowledge to protect themselves online and learn about the risks and consequences of using the web. Virginia passed a standard to incorporate the teaching of internet safety into the curriculum. This should be followed by other states as well in order to ensure equal opportunity as well as safety. There are many websites that allow parents, teachers, and students to explore and learn about issues concerning safety online and also shows how to incorporate this topic into the classroom with free lesson plans.

What are some of the websites that teach about digital citizenship?
• NetAlert (http://www.netalert.net.au), Australia’s Internet safety advisory body, provides resources for teachers and librarians and advice by grade levels and by risks.
• i-Safe (http://www.isafe.org) for middle school students incorporates classroom curriculum
with community outreach to students, teachers, parents, law enforcement, and concerned adults.
• ID the Creep (http://www.idthecreep.com) is another online simulation for students sponsored by the Ad Council and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
• NetSmartz (http://www.netsmartz.org) uses age appropriate, 3D activities to teach children and teens how to be safer when using the Internet.

What does digital citizenship mean?
Digital citizenship is trying to gain an awareness of technology in regards to social, ethical, and human issues standards. If digital citizenship is accomplished, everyone will know the basics of technology in order to succeed in life.