Digital Citizenship

"Kids are spending more time with screen media -- and at younger ages -- than ever before. But there really is no magic number that's 'just right'. What's more important is the quality of kids' media, how it fits into your family's lifestyle, and how you engage your kids with it." 
-- Common Sense Media, Screen Time

Students can balance their online time with unplugged activities. Suggestions: read a physical book, play board games, draw/color, or play outside! Your brain and body need more than a screen!

Things to Know:

• Media includes streaming TV shows, playing online games, playing on your phone or tablet, watching TV or movies, and surfing the internet.
• It’s important to find a media balance between offline and online activities.
• A healthy media balance is good for your body, your brain, and your relationships.
• Media balance varies from person to person.
• Playing online shouldn’t get in the way of sleep, playing with friends, work, or school.

Resources:

• Common Sense Media: How Much Screen Time is OK?
• Common Sense Media: Help Kids Balance Their Media Lives
• Digital Short: Balancing Media

"The Internet has drastically changed the way that children interact with the world. They have access to in-depth knowledge, tools to express their creativity, and people from all over the world. Yet along with offering a fascinating, new way to connect with the world, the Internet also offers new risks."

- NetSmartz, Internet Safety

"If you're a parent or guardian, you can help to keep your kids safe by talking to them about their Internet use, teaching them about online dangers, and learning everything you can about the Internet so you can make informed decisions."

- Internet Safety for Kids

Things to Know:

• Only share private information with trusted people such as your family, teachers, or close friends.
• Private information includes your first and last name, how old you are, your home address, your telephone number, your email address, passwords, and the name of your school.
• Don't include any personal information in your usernames.
• Online scams will try to trick you into giving away your personal information.
• Scammers will lie and pretend to be somebody else.
• Phishing is when people send you phony emails, social media messages, texts, calls, or email links to fake websites, and/or pop-up ads to trick you into giving out your personal information.

Resources:

• Common Sense Media: Privacy and Internet Safety
• Internet Safety for Kids: Teaching Kids About Internet Safety
• Protect Your Online Privacy: Video
• Internet Safety Tips for Kids: Video
• Digital Short: Internet Safety

Parenting today's tech-savvy kids can seem overwhelming. Here are a few resources that may help:

Good Digital Parenting (Provided by Family Online Safety Institute)

1. Talk with your kids.
2. Educate yourself.
3. Use parental controls.
4. Set ground rules and apply sanctions.
5. Friend and follow but don't stalk.
6. Explore, share, and celebrate.
7. Be a good digital role model.

At some point, you may have heard your student talk about Roblox or Minecraft. But what are these games? And most importantly, are they safe for kids?

We've pulled together a few resources that may help parents better understand these popular games and how to protect your child while they are online.

Roblox

Roblox is an online entertainment platform for play that allows people to create games for the public using Roblox’s digital tool known as Roblox Studio. Though parents can turn off its social features, Roblox may be a child’s first experience with digital socializing, which gives parents a hands-on opportunity to help children develop good digital habits that will last a lifetime. (From ConnectSafely)

• The Parent's Guide to Roblox (ConnectSafely)

 

Minecraft

Minecraft is a 3-D computer game where players can build anything. The game which has been described as an ‘online Lego’ involves building blocks and creating structures across different environments and terrains. Set in a virtual world the game involves resource gathering, crafting items, building, and combat. (From WebWise)

• A Parent's Guide to Minecraft (Apple App Store)