General Nash Elementary School

Our Goal: This page is dedicated to educating parents and guardians, on the topic of Digital Citizenship. We will also provide you with a variety of resources as you help your children navigate safely through the challenges and opportunities of the Internet, Social Media, and Mobile Texting at home and in the community. Parents and guardians have a wide range of expertise and individual comfort levels with these topics. We hope that this page strengthens your family's capacity as you teach your children at home about the importance of being a good Digital Citizen.

According to the NSW Curriculum and Learning Innovation Centre located in Sydney, Australia:

"A digital citizen is a person who uses digital tools such as computers and mobile devices to interact with others, for example, sending SMS and email, posting pictures to social networking sites and participating in blogs and online discussions. It is important because Digital Citizenship is the concept of using technology responsibly and not misusing it to the disadvantage of others. As we spend more time online, it is vital to understand how to stay safe online."

Nine Essentials of Digital Citizenship

1. Digital Access: Full electronic participation in society.

2. Digital Commerce: The electronic buying and selling of goods.

3. Digital Communication: Electronic exchange of information.

4. Digital Literacy: Process of teaching and learning about technology and use of technology.

5. Digital Etiquette: Electronic standards of conduct or procedure.

6. Digital Law: Electronic responsibility for actions and deeds.

7. Digital Responsibilities: Freedoms extended to everyone in the digital world.

8. Digital Health and Wellness: Physical and psychological well-being in a digital world.

9. Digital Security: Electronic precautions to guarantee safety.

-Digital Citizenship: Using Technology Appropriately (http://digitalcitizenship.net/Nine_Elements.html)

Digital Citizenship Internet Resources:

Common Sense Media: "Common Sense Media is dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in a world of media and technology."

iKeepSafe: "To see generations of the world's children grow up safely using technology and the Internet."

Cyberwise: "A learning hub to help educators, parents (and kids too!) understand the use of digital media."

Digizen: "The Digizen website provides information for educators, parents, carers, and young people. It is used to strengthen their awareness and understanding of what digital citizenship is and encourages users of technology to be and become responsible DIGItal citiZENS. It shares specific advice and resources on issues such as social networking and cyberbullying and how these relate to and affect their own and other people's online experiences and behaviours."

Digital Citizenship: "Digital Citizenship is a concept which helps teachers, technology leaders and parents to understand what students/children/technology users should know to use technology appropriately. Digital Citizenship is more than just a teaching tool; it is a way to prepare students/technology users for a society full of technology. Too often we are seeing students as well as adults misusing and abusing technology but not sure what to do. The issue is more than what the users do not know but what is considered appropriate technology usage."