Numeracy and ICT - Blog post

Becoming Digital Citizens – For Educators and Parents

Introduction

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Capability is a

general capability in the Australian curriculum (2018). This capability
aims to educate students to ‘use ICT effectively and appropriately to
access, create and communicate information and ideas, solve
problems and work collaboratively in all learning areas at school and
in their lives beyond school’ (Australian Curriculum, 2018). Having ICT
as a general capability encourages educators to teach students the
advantages of using the digital technologies available to them while
adapting new ways of using these technologies and minimising the
The key ideas for ICT Capability are
risks to students in the digital environment (Australian Curriculum,
organised into five interrelated
2018). Implementing ICT in all aspects of the educative process is elements in the learning continuum

imperative for students to develop the knowledge, skills and (Australian Curriculum, 2018).

confidence in participating in our technologically sophisticated society (Australian Curriculum, 2018).

As educators, the social and ethical protocols and practises of ICT are just as imperative, hence the
importance of ensuring students use ICT safely to create, communicate and share information
(Australian Curriculum, 2018). Applying social and ethical protocols and practises when using ICT
involves recognising intellectual property, applying digital information security practises, applying
personal security protocols and identifying the impacts of ICT in society (Australian Curriculum, 2018).
It is the responsibility of educators and parents/caregivers to communicate the dangers of digital
technologies and to ensure students are equipped with the knowledge and skills to protect their
safety.

Cyber-safety

Cyber-safety is highly important when students are becoming involved with digital technologies.
Educators and parents need to be educated with the harms involved in interacting with these
technologies as preventative measures can be implemented to ensure children and adolescence stay
safe in the digital world (Hanewald, 2008).
Cyber Violence is defined as using
information and digital technologies to
partake in a range of harmful activities
(Hanewald, 2008). These harmful activities
can be seen in image 1. There are four
different forms of cyber violence; Online
contact/offline harm, cyber stalking,
Image 1: Defining cyber violence (Hanewald, 2008).
degradation and harassment (Hanewald,
2008). Cyber violence has the potential to cause serious physical, emotional and psychological harm
in young people (Hanewald, 2008). It is imperative that students, parents and educators are aware of
these harms, and the ways in which they can be prevented.

There is support available for those who are experiencing cyber violence. The eSafety commissioner
suggests that the person being cyber violent should be reported to the website or social media
administrators and blocked or muted (eSafety, 2018). Simply ignoring those being cyber violent is best
in ensuring they do not retaliate and for you, as spending some time
off your device can give you space from the abuse (eSafety, 2018).

Kidshelpline are a health promoting organisation that provides

support for young people aged 5-25 and for parents and schools.
Young people, parents or schools can easily access their support
services including informative fact sheets for many issues young
people experience and helpful resources (Kidshelpline, 2018).
Kidshelpline provide a 24/7 helpline and webchat for those of all ages
needing extra support from health professionals (Kidshelpline, 2018).

Cyber bullying is defined as the frequent

behaviour of annoying, abusing, threatening or
harassing another person using information
and digital technologies (Hanewald, 2008). This
involves using the internet through websites or
online games, mobile phones through
messages or pictures and social media
(Hanewald, 2008).

Defining cyber bullying (Hanewald, 2008).

Responding to cyber bullying

The eSafety Commissioner created this responding to

cyberbullying infographic that aims to educate those who need
to respond to such behaviour in an effective way (eSafety, 2018).
Those who are being cyberbullied can be supported by teachers,
their peers and their parents/caregivers.

Protecting personal information is a priority when using

information and digital technologies (eSafety, 2018). Young
people must be aware of the risks associated with disclosing our
personal information such as our full name, address, phone
numbers, school, date of birth, our email address or our bank
details (eSafety, 2018). Spams, scams, identity theft and fraud
are possible risks If the wrong people access this personal
information (eSafety, 2018). We can minimise these risks by ensuring we disclose our personal
information on secure sights, read user agreements and privacy policies, reducing the possibility of
spam by limiting the disclosure of email addresses and by creating strong, secure passwords (eSafety,
2018).

Digital citizenship

Digital citizenship means to have the confidence to positively engage with digital technology (eSafety,
2018). According to the eSafety Commissioner, ‘a digital citizen is a person with the skills and
knowledge to effectively use digital technologies to participate in society, communicate with others
and create and consume digital content’ (2018). It is encouraged that young people become digital
citizens before they engage with digital technology to ensure they are equipped with the knowledge
and skills needed for them to engage positively with digital technologies (eSafety, 2018). The video
link shown below was created by the eSafety Commissioner and is an engaging way to educate
students on becoming digital citizens.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
hX95q5HYqzA
Digital citizenship certificates can be awarded to students who
complete a variety of activities that are required in order for
them to be rewarded. This identifies that students have been
taught how to be digital citizens and will hopefully encourage
them to be safe online.

Implications for teaching practise

The eSafety link shown below provides a variety of useful

resources educators can use to engage students in becoming
digital citizens. It is imperative as educators that we promote
safe, ethical use of digital technologies and promote learning
in a fun and engaging way. One of the way educators can
teach eSafety in an engaging way, is through
interactive games. Shown below is The Gizmo family
and they need help to become safe online. Students
access this game and step by step, make the right Link: https://www.esafety.gov.au/esafety-information/esafet y-
issues/cyberbullying

choices in order for The Gizmo family to be safe

online.

To cater for adolescence, The Yes Project

(pictured below) is a program aimed to inspire,
ignite and enable positive change as a
community online (eSafety, 2018). Through a
variety of workshops that are designed to
engage adolescence, students reflect on the
online culture and their own online presence
(eSafety, 2018). They act as mentors and
support their peers in becoming digital citizens.
Students will work together to
promote social change in the online
world, ensuring that it is a safe and
inclusive space for all to enjoy.
 Resources for parents/caregivers

There are many resources available for parents/caregivers to access about encouraging their
children to become digital citizens and to ensure they are using digital technologies ethically.

iParent is a page accessible from the eSafety website designed specifically for parents/caregivers
who need to support their children. It is essential for parents/caregivers to be involved in their
children’s digital lives.

Below is a video that explains the difficulties of allowing children too much time on digital
technologies. These videos are a fantastic way to promote positive behaviours, and more like this
can be accessed from the eSafety website.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBJLWxqtqyo

As seen to the right, the eSafety commissioner provides

this informative infographic that explains the 8 tips to
keeping on top of children’s’ screen time. More of these
informative infographics can be accessed from the eSafety website.

As educators, it is imperative that we encourage students to become digital citizens, however it is just
as imperative to involve the parents in this process as well. It is evident that there are many resources
available that provide fun and engaging activities to educate our students, and parents on the dangers
digital technologies pose, and the ways to appropriately and effectively deal with those risks.
Throughout the school day and at home, young people need to be supported and encouraged to
become digital citizens and be safe online.

References:

Australian Curriculum (2018). General capabilities. Australian Government. Accessed from

https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/f-10-curriculum/general-capabilities/.

Hanewald, R. (2008). Confronting the pedagogical challenge of cyber safety. Australian journal for
teacher education, 33(3), 1-16.

Kidshelpline (2018). Anytime. Any Reason. Accessed from https://kidshelpline.com.au/.

Office of the eSafety Commissioner (2018). Australian Government. Accessed from

https://www.esafety.gov.au/.