Tool #11

Digital citizenship seems to me the same as manners in the techie world. Just like we teach in our classrooms citizenship-respect, obedience, trustworthy, etc, and how to be good citizens in our world.O ur children need to do the same while using technology. Having teenagers, I think one of the most important things to learn is that you have to be very careful of the things you put out in the cyber world for EVERYONE to see. Writing things that are not inappropriate, things that are hurtful, and pictures that inappropriate, are things that you can not take back once you have typed them in. I tell my children, that if you wouldn't want your grandmother reading what you wrote, then DON'T type it. (a hard lesson they both have learned....)That goes along the same lines as not giving out information, that others should not know. It is so scary as it is that we can find out whatever we want about someone, without them giving us the information personally. Being careful who you "talk" to is also so important. Just like we teach our children not to talk to stranger. It is our responsibilities as teachers and parents that we provide a safe technological world for our children, and give them the tools to be able use this WONDERFUL technology, but in a safe manner, for themselves and for others.