Digital Citizenship

Being a good digital citizen is of great importance because it protects us (and our students) physically and emotionally.  I really like the SafeKids.Com strategies listed in our text on page 218.  It gives some good advice on ways to limit interaction with online predators, rules in using the internet and consequences for not abiding by the set rules, keeping passwords top secret, and not doing anything hurtful to others or illegal.  Before this course I was oblivious to the widespread common problem of cyberbullying and cyberstalking.  The little I had heard of it was linked to older students.  I had no idea of the abuse elementary aged students are experiencing.  We have got to make it our business to teach Digital Citizenship in our curriculum because otherwise our students could potentially be harmed. 
Having a good digital reputation is also of great value.  To treat others kindly and to report instances of verbal abuse can stop cyberbullies in their tracks.  Students don't realize the negative impact posting compromising pictures or comments has on others and on their personal futures.  Once those are posted, there is no taking it back.  Children do not think about future consequences, so we as educators have got to teach them the importance of having a good digital reputation.  There is an abundance of resources to use to teach good digital citizenship.  We just have to implement the information into our curriculum.