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Online Safety, put simply, is the ability to navigate the Internet forum responsibily, securely, and efficiently.

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The American Library Association's digital-literacy task force offers this definition: "Digital literacy is the ability to use information and communication technologies to find, evaluate, create, and communicate information, requiring both cognitive and technical skills."
(Heitin, 2016)

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Visit MediaSmarts for an abundance of resources from educational games to parent workshops. This site is an excellent resource to educate and engage parents and students on the topics of digital literacy and online safety!

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MediaSmarts is excited to announce Kathryn Ann Hill as its next Executive Director. She replaces Cathy Wing and Jane Tallim, who have retired from their roles as co-executive directors after more than 25 years of service to the organization.

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1. Do NOT give out personal information (address, phone number) to strangers on the internet.
2. Do NOT share images of yourself with strangers on the internet.
3. Beware of scams and contests from unfamiliar organizations wanting personal information.
4. Parents and students communicate and set boundaries when using the internet. Parents - educate your students!
5. Never share your password!!

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Safe Web Surfing: Top Tips for Kids and Teens Online

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Safe Web Surfing: Top Tips for Kids and Teens Online

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Visit this link to watch an informational video on internet safety!

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Digital Literacy Skills: Online Safety

What is Online Safety?

Being safe online means that you have the knowledge to identify the potential risks and are conscious of your personal security while browsing, sharing or surfing the internet. By teaching internet safety, you are not only helping your students become more vigilant about their own safety, but also helping them become better users of the internet.

Why is it Important?

Our guide to online safety is a good place to start when teaching your students digital literacy skills. Most students nowadays have unlimited access to the internet on their phones and at home, and it is important that they are able to navigate these online environments safely. Opening up a dialogue about safe practices and coping strategies with your students is a positive step towards developing digital literacy skills.

What are the risks?

There are a number of great resources and videos around internet safety from a huge range of sources, like the video above, created by Wellcast. Webwise has created a number of lessons on the topic of online safety, for both primary and post-primary level, you can find these in the resource section of our website. These are great to use in the classroom to raise awareness and to develop good online practices with your students. Some of the topics that you can cover with students are:

What else do I need to know?

Children and teens can also keep themselves safe by limiting the amount of personal information they share online. In addition to this, students need to be mindful of their digital footprint and their online reputation. Everything we post online contributes to our digital footprint and what is put online, often stays online indefinitely. You can use our critical thinking guide to help your students question their own actions online and become more aware of how to use the internet responsibly.

Webwise has created a number of campaigns on these topics, there are also a number of easy checklists that can be downloaded and given to students:

Each year, Webwise promotes Safer Internet Day, and get schools from all over Ireland participating and raising awareness about internet safety, cyber-bullying and more. To sign up for FREE Safer Internet Day wristbands for your school, click here. Get your school involved and help build online safety skills with your students.

Additionally, you can print this infographic here: [Download not found]

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Digital Literacy Skills: Online Safety -

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Being safe online means that you have the knowledge to identify the potential risks and are conscious of your personal security while browsing, sharing or surfing the internet. By teaching internet safety, you are not only helping your students become more vigilant about their own safety, but also helping them become better users of the internet.

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Visit this fun, action packed game to gain knowledge on digital safety!

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Interland is an adventure-packed online game that puts the key lessons of digital citizenship and safety into hands-on practice. Play your way to being Internet Awesome.

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Visit this link to help Captain Broadband find the nasty character sending yucky emails and asking for private information!

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DISCUSSION THREAD: Have a question or comment about digital literacy or online safety? Share below.

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DISCUSSION THREAD: Have a question or comment about digital literacy or online safety? Share below.

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Take this quiz to test your knowledge and see what you have learned!

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The Online Safety Quiz is your chance to show that you know how to be a safe Internet surfer. Answer each question and, when you get it right, you'll go to the next question.

Click Below to Begin the Quiz

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The Online Safety Quiz is your chance to show that you know how to be a safe Internet surfer. Answer each question and, when you get it right, you'll go to the next question. Click Below to Begin the Quiz

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Feel free to share your thoughts on the prompts below:

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Feel free to share your thoughts on the prompts below:

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1. Do you view the internet as a positive or negative resource?

2. Should students be able to use the internet independently?

3. Do you feel confident when navigating through internet resources?

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Digital Literacy Skills: Online Safety -. (2018, May 02). Retrieved from https://www.webwise.ie/teachers/online-safety-skills/

Interland. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://beinternetawesome.withgoogle.com/en/interland

Magid. L. (2018). SafeKids Quiz. Retrieved from http://www.safekids.com/quiz/

Safety Land. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.att.com/

Heitin, L. (2018, June 20). What Is Digital Literacy? Retrieved from https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2016/11/09/what-is-digital-literacy.html

MediaSmarts. (n.d.). MediaSmarts. Retrieved from http://mediasmarts.ca/