Digital citizenship is an emerging practice of applying proper protocols for usage with current internet accessible devices. Unlike in previous generations, this generation has a seemingly endless supply of technology which is always at their fingertips, so ensuring proper safety and behavior when interacting with the digital population is important. For this assignment, I read up on digital citizenship in school and I identified an article by Vicki Davis published in Edutopia about “What your Students Really Need to Know About Digital Citizenship.” She simplified the concept of digital citizenship into nine “P’s.” The nine “P’s” are passwords, privacy, personal information, photographs, property, permission, protection, professionalism, and personal brand. These are measures which when proactively aware, students can put themselves in the safest and best environment for utilizing the internet. I always took it for granted with security on the internet, but just recently our high school started a course called digital forensics and law which is one of the first in the nation and in discussions with the teacher they cover digital footprints and how identities can be stolen. It is a cutting edge curriculum and I think it is a very enlightening class for our students who choose to take the class. Unfortunately, many students are not aware of their digital choices and their reputation is ruined before they even get a chance to make an impact. All over the internet are pictures of minors drinking and participating in illegal activities. No matter how many warnings we give them about colleges looking at this evidence or explaining how they never go away, teenagers are invincible. It is scientifically proven that their brains are still developing and a lot of advanced social decisions are not made with proper judgment. There are multiple examples of high school athletes losing scholarships over social media posts. This behavior is not new behavior among teenagers, but rather the documented behavior on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or VSCO is more rampant than ever.
I think as a school administrator it is important to make these students aware of their digital impression. As an administrator I would make it a part of my yearly assembly routine. In secondary schools there are major issues with cyber bullying and the drug and alcohol scene, but I think it should be noted that digital footprints and their digital profiles are just as important decisions to make. Students need to see examples. If these fears don’t impact someone close to them, they rarely have an impact. I would suggest using social media to identify illicit behavior among students and to show how anyone can find that information and how colleges or recruiters could find the info too.
James,
ReplyDeleteI agree that unfortunately, many students are not aware of their digital choices and their reputation is ruined before they even get a chance to make an impact. I have lost count of the number of times a student has been involved in a fight, verbally or physically, and come to find out that it has stemmed from something having to do with technology. In my experience in middle and high schools, students have posted revealing pictures or made inappropriate comments on others' social media pages and often failed to realize the consequences and potential long term effects of their actions. Many also don't realize that once something is posted on the internet, it's available for EVERYONE to see. Even after something has been deleted, there is always a way to access the information again. Education students about proper use of technology is a must!
Thanks for sharing your review of Vicki Davis' article.
Thank you for sharing this article! Technology is so easily available to our students and half the time they do not understand how to use it appropriately. Certain websites and application engineers take advantage of the ignorance of our students - such as the app KIK, an anonymous text message service. Since my scholars do not understand the seriousness of the digital age, they often message photos of themselves and others, share personal information and make threats all under the guise of anonymity. This has led to some pretty scary situations. With no indication of the technological age slowing down or changing it I think a class like this should be mandatory to all students.
ReplyDeleteWe had a major issue with yik-yak that lead to multiple fights and over 50 phones being confiscated by the police a couple of years ago linked to the anonymity
DeleteWe had a major issue with yik-yak that lead to multiple fights and over 50 phones being confiscated by the police a couple of years ago linked to the anonymity
DeleteJames,
ReplyDeleteIncredible post! Facebook started getting popular when I was in high school. i soon realized the effects it had on some people and the feeling of "invincibility" for most teenagers. We were so blind to the fact that delete doesn't mean its gone forever. I wish some of my fellow classmates had the opportunity to enroll in a digital citizenship class. I am hoping it is something that is added into more schools. The digital forensics and law class seems very informational. I feel like it can intimidate kids along with inform them to where they won't post anything close to inappropriate. Even the name sounds intimidating!