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What Is Digital Citizenship? | Common Sense Education

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What Is Digital Citizenship? is a video from Common Sense Education. Use this video to help your students learn and thrive in our connected world.

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Edutopia is a free source of information, inspiration, and practical strategies for learning and teaching in preK-12 education. We are published by the George Lucas Educational Foundation, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization.

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Keeping kids safe online means staying informed and getting involved to make sure your child knows the risks, as well as the rewards, of the Internet.

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Many of us are aware that we're being tracked when we go online. It's one of the ways our favorite websites and apps know how to recommend content just for us. But how much information are companies actually collecting? And what are they doing with it? Digging into the details can help us make smart decisions about our online privacy and how to protect it.
See the U.K. version of this lesson plan

Define online tracking and describe how companies use it.

Identify the benefits and drawbacks of online tracking to both companies and users.

Analyze specific examples of online tracking and take a position for or against them.

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What are the benefits and drawbacks of online tracking? Check out The Big Data Dilemma, a free digital citizenship lesson plan from Common Sense Education, to get your grade 9 students thinking critically and using technology responsibly to learn, create, and participate.

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5 Tips to Protect Your Privacy Online (Feat. EFF)

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College students access open networks more often than any other online users. Unfortunately, some students are careless with managing online activities and personal information, which can make you more vulnerable to security threats, identity theft and malware attacks.

Any time you log in to your social media accounts, you leave digital footprints that could be traced back to your identity. Having sensitive data, such as credit card or bank account data and passwords, fall into the wrong hands could result in major repercussions. Identity thieves can access payment information using your login credentials and make fraudulent transactions with your debit and/or credit cards. In addition, posting photos online and location check-ins or tags expose you to stalkers and cyberbullies who can use this information against you. Therefore, as a student, it is important for you to manage your privacy online. Below are some useful guidelines.

Avoid Downloading Free Media

Downloading media from direct download websites, torrents or streaming hosts opens your devices up to viruses and malware. Some of these websites contain malicious codes that can be used to steal your personal information. To prevent this from happening to you, avoid downloading illegal content from piracy websites.

Do Not Store Your Payment Information Online

Amazon and other popular online retailers give users the option of storing payment information on their sites for future use. Even though some of these sites are secure, cybercriminals can still hack and access this stored information and make unauthorized transactions. Avoid storing payment information online to improve your financial security.

Use Strong Passwords

Using your name, birth date, pet's name or phone number as your password makes it easy for hackers to crack your account. The stronger your password is, the harder it is for hackers to crack. Make your password a sentence that's at least 12 characters long - you can even use capital and lowercase letters, numbers, symbols, punctuation and spaces!

If you have a lot of passwords to remember, you may opt to use a password manager that helps you manage all your passwords securely. With many password managers, you only need to remember one password that will enable you to log in to any website that has your login credentials.

Avoid Oversharing Personal Information

Since it's hard for students to resist the urge to share everything online, cybercriminals can easily access their personal information and use it against them. To prevent this, avoid oversharing and review your privacy settings so that your status updates can be viewed only by the people you trust. Also, declining friend requests from strangers, since they may not be trustworthy, is best practice.

If what you are sharing involves your friends or family, make sure that you check with them to see if they are comfortable with you doing so. This will help you to avoid sharing their sensitive information. Posting about your neighborhood or place of residence could also make your home a target for robbery.

Install The Latest Antivirus Software

Antivirus software protects devices from trojans, worms, viruses and spyware. These malicious programs are capable of invading your privacy and stealing personal data; it is important to have your devices protected by the latest antivirus software. Here are some of the free security checkups and tools available.

Unique Account, Unique Password

Create different passwords for different accounts; if a criminal has your login information for one account, he/she will try to break in to your other accounts.

Delete or Clear Tracking Cookies

Tracking cookies are pieces of code that sites attach to your devices to store information concerning what you do while online. This information is then sold to various companies across the globe without you knowing about it.

In case you have concerns regarding the manner in which the data about you is both collected and used, remove or block all the unwanted cookies regularly on your browsers.

Encryption

It is common for social media and banking login pages to use HTTPS encryption to scramble login information and help prevent identity theft. Prior to signing in to a social media platform or other website or app, ensure that you check for https at the beginning of the URL.

It is also possible for you to encrypt your whole hard drives via the use of BitLocker by Microsoft or FileVault by Apple. These two software programs are examples of some of the best current methods of protecting your documents in case you find yourself in a data theft quagmire.

Pop-Up Blocking

Almost all browsers available today have built-in settings that assist in the prevention of pop-ups. In addition to this, you may find that others can allow you to modify the pop-up restrictions in order for you not to miss out on some legitimate data online. With these features available, it is possible for you to avoid accidentally stumbling upon malicious ads.

Be Careful on Public Networks and Computers

Cybercriminals can install malware on public computers and collect personal information from unsuspecting users. Alternatively, these criminals can set up free Wi-Fi hotspot stations and use phishing to collect information. To avoid becoming a victim to such scams, steer clear of using public networks for personal and financial matters.

Conclusion

It is still possible to use social networks to share and engage, but it's important to be cautious and ensure that you keep your personal information from getting into the wrong hands. Identify the threats to which you're most vulnerable, and take the necessary measures to protect yourself.

About the Author

Richard Nolan is a professional educator and team building coach, sharing his experience in the spheres of writing, blogging, entrepreneurship and psychology. Richard writes for numerous blogs and gives useful tips for bloggers and students. Currently, Richard works as a general blog editor for EliteEssayWriters. Follow him on Facebook

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Student's Guide to Social Media Security: Managing Privacy Online - Stay Safe Online

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College students access open networks more often than any other online users. Unfortunately, some students are careless with managing online activities and personal information, which can make you more vulnerable to security threats, identity theft and malware attacks. Any time you log in to your social media accounts, you leave digital footprints that could be traced back to your identity.

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Our privacy is valuable. And so is our kids'. Here's how to protect it.

Whether we like it or not, devices, apps, games, and social media are a big part of life for most kids. Despite age restrictions, more and more children are logging on to platforms before they turn 13.

This is not all bad. Time online can offer creativity and connection, but it can also bring risk.

There are positives signs that we - and our kids - are getting better at understanding the consequences of sharing our personal information online.

But, advances in technology continue to present new risks to our privacy and security. Spam, scams, identity theft, and fraud are just some of the issues we - and our kids - face when we use devices.

Privacy Awareness Week is an annual event run by the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC). It's an opportunity to reflect on how we share and manage our personal data. The aim is to shine a spotlight on the issue of privacy, and to remind us - and kids - that privacy matters.

So how do we keep our kids safe online?

Protecting the privacy of children and teens online

Whether we like it or not, devices, apps, games and social media are a big part of life for most kids. And despite the age restrictions, more and more children are logging on to platforms before the age of 13.

According to a recent article in The Atlantic, the "kid internet" provides children, parents and educators with so many creative and connective possibilities; however, the major platforms are not doing enough to protect children in this growing online space.

Contrary to popular belief, kids do care about their privacy. But they need support and guidance from trusted adults to help them make good decisions and stay safe.

Below are seven tips to help parents, teachers and caregivers protect the privacy of young people online.

1. Start conversations about privacy

It's important for cyber safety education to start early. By initiating conversations from a young age, we send the message that privacy is important.

Let kids know they have a right to privacy and there are laws in place to protect it. Discuss the reasons for age restrictions and explain risks in an age-appropriate way.

Ask kids what they are worried about when it comes to privacy. Identify areas where they need more knowledge or support.

Cyber safety programs in schools can help start a dialogue about privacy in the classroom, the playground and at home.

2. ENCOURAGE KIDS TO THINK BEFORE THEY SHARE

Kids may feel pressure to share their thoughts, feelings, and images on social media. And, they may be asked to provide personal details in order to access games and apps.

Discuss the idea that personal information has value, just like money. Encourage kids to be selective about the information they give away, and only provide details that are absolutely necessary.

Remind them that posts can be shared without their knowledge, so they should be careful about what they disclose online, even to friends.

Most kids are aware of the concept of a 'digital footprint'. Remind them that, even though they may feel comfortable sharing something now, this could change in the future.

Teach simple skills, like taking three deep breaths or counting to 10, as a habit for building in a pause before sharing personal details.

Encourage kids to know that, if they ever feel unsure about whether to share information, they should ask an adult.

Kids - and adults - need to be aware of scams that are designed to steal our money, passwords or identities. A great question to encourage kids to ask is: "Is this for real?". And, if something looks too good to be true, it probably isn't a great idea to get involved.

3. Update privacy settings

Kids should know how to change privacy settings to control who can access their personal information. Privacy settings can be tailored according to their age, the platform they are using and the type of information they are sharing.

Some apps like Snapchat, for example, have settings that allow users to see the current locations of their friends. This can put children at serious risk, so it is important to know how to turn location services off.

Platforms and apps are constantly updated and new ones are quick to rise in popularity and use. That's why we recommend regularly checking in on privacy setting information from the Office of the eSafety Commissioner.

4. READ THOSE PRIVACY POLICIES

The truth is that most of us don't read privacy policies and collection notices. After all, most terms and conditions are lengthy and confusing, so it's much easier to just click 'Agree'

However, these notices contain important information about privacy rights. So, it's really important to read them so you understand how the information being collected will be used and protected.

Involve kids in this process, so they understand what they are giving up when they click 'I agree'. One idea is to summarise each point in plain English, just like a privacy lawyer did for Instagram's terms of use.

5. Manage passwords

Strong, secure passwords are an essential tool in maintaining your privacy. Passwords should be a random combination of numbers, letters and punctuation. They should never include personal information such as birthdates or names.

Passwords should be changed regularly and not used across multiple accounts. Using a password manager is a good way to keep a secure record of all your passwords.

Explain to children and teens that they must not share passwords with anyone, especially at school or online. (It is, of course, appropriate for parents to know their children's passwords so that they can monitor online behaviour and keep them safe).

6. Encourage respectful online behaviour

Privacy awareness is about your rights ... and your responsibility.

Protecting the privacy of others is a responsibility for everyone who goes online. Sharing others' personal details can have a negative impact on them and you.

Encourage kids to act with empathy, compassion, and respect, just as they would in face-to-face interactions. Before posting something, we should all stop and ask: Is this information private? Is it sensitive? Is it necessary to share it?

Schools need permission before posting students' personal details and images. Parents should also stop and think before sharing information about themselves and their children. It's no surprise that kids will be more likely to take messages about privacy seriously if adults around them model good behaviour too.

7. WHAT TO DO IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG

Following the tips above will minimise the chance of things going wrong online, but there are never guarantees.

Let kids know that there's always help available if something goes wrong.

If they have any concerns, from being targeted by a scam to sharing something they regret, the first step is to tell a trusted adult. Then, together, you can seek solutions, including from these trusted services:

Brainstorm Productions uses theatre, storytelling, and post-performance discussion to provide high-quality internet safety education to schools across Australia.

We explore a range of issues relevant to the privacy of students, including sharing passwords, digital footprints, and internet scams. Our cyber safety programs encourage students to think about their privacy and take meaningful steps to protect it, backed up by classroom resources.

We take our responsibility as cyber safety educators very seriously. We know how important it is to get our information from the right sources so Brainstorm is a supporting partner of Stay Smart Online and one of the eSafety Commissioner's certified providers.
HOW CAN BRAINSTORM PRODUCTIONS HELP KEEP KIDS SAFE ONLINE? If you're interested in using theatre to help students learn about keeping safe online, make your booking today.

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Keeping kids safe online | Brainstorm Productions

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Here are seven pieces of advice for you to help keep kids safe online, whether it's Privacy Awareness Week or any other day of the year. Learn More