The Skill Sets of Acceptable Digital (Social) Online Citizenship

Digital thinking and activity differ from real world thoughts and actions. Communicating happens rapidly, without time to reflect, debate or often, evaluate consequences or risk. Developing the skills of online good Citizenship, is critical to assist adolescents, tween and teens with a framework of guidance which allows everyone to share information and interact, wisely.

These skill sets/tenets of social behavior allow for each internet user, from adolescent and tween to teen, to promote the best, most kind, and respectful, thinking of good cyber-citizenship to the rigors of cyberspace, with a positive result for everyone.  A good cyber citizen:

• Champions and supports “equal digital rights and access for everyone”, online.
• Interacts with cyber users in online destinations with the greatest respect and consideration.
• Does not tolerate or act in any bullying or angry capacity online. No trolling!
• Uses internet global resources and digital tools wisely, to educate, stay current on the newest technology/discoveries, develop excellent study habits of focus, strategy and positive thinking.
• Promotes and champions equal rights for every online user without prejudice or exception.
• Never posts inappropriate, offensive, threatening content, words or imagery, online, which is improper, potentially damaging, or disturbing to others.
• Does not plagiarize, download illegally, or pirate the digital content, property, or identity of anyone from websites, blogs, or other destinations.
• Practices security awareness to protect and safeguard self, and others, personal information from cybercriminals, strangers, hackers, phishing scams, and rogue software. Never be “quick to click”.
• Consistently and proactively limits psychological and other health risks of internet over usage, by limiting online intervals, and engaging in off-line, “no net” specified, quality time for personal interactions with family, friends, and the valuable activities of the real world.

Guiding Their Footprints with Digital Citizenry

Parents and teachers of this generation, which has not known a world without an enormous internet/cyberspace presence, are finding that whatever digital footprint, they or their children create, as they interact online, represents their profile to a globally connected world. This profile is indelible, and must represent the very best impression of each of us. According to the recent Pew Report, the need to mentor and shepherd young minds to:

• strive for internet actions which contribute to a positive outcome
• credit all sources for research
• have gratitude for the incredible amounts of priceless information they have gleaned and been enlightened by
• feel proud of the content posted
• educate themselves with specific rules of engaging on web and social media sites

is critical to their ability to be educated with strong, life-long good academic success. Young internet uses must hone their ability to build a digital footprint that celebrates their identity in all that they strive to achieve.

The Fipple app can be an excellent tool to use as a guideline for keeping your children safe, while they are immersed in learning these essential tools for productive internet interaction. You can’t monitor for signs of stranger danger, bullying, or another negativity, but Fipple’s intuitive interface can, and will very effectively. Visit our site and see what we are striving to achieve.

What is a Digital Citizen

If the younger generation in your household have an online social media account, or a smart phone, or if they create digital content at online forums or blogs, they qualify for the label “digital citizen”.  The sheer magnitude of hours now spent by children and teens, engaged with online environments, and virtually having the world at their fingertips, creates the urgent need for a clear and concise understanding of appropriate behavior. Parents and teachers need to instruct children to think critically, behave safely, and participate responsibly online.

Technological moderation is extremely necessary for adolescents, teens and tweens.  Children’s brains do not self-regulate. Parental guidance is sorely needed to prevent over-consumed usage of the internet, it’s social media portals, smart devices, iPhones, iPads and laptops. The Pew Research report, published in May of this year, states that 95% of teens ages 13-17, now have an iPhone. 45% of these teens are documented as being online for hours, daily. Children, as young as 8, have access to mobile devices in their homes, and at school.

Why Children Need Positive Tenets of Behavior Online

Being aware of children’s online activities, parents and teachers too, have seen that while the internet is a force for good, its usage can be overwhelming, and can take a toll on children’s physical and mental well-being.   Online, they are constantly bombarded with fake news, negative thinking, automated bots, and an abundance of apps which are specifically designed to keep them clicking and scrolling, in addictive ways. Without having a definitive guide to proper online behavior, adolescents, tweens and teens risk developing negligent habits which effect their ability to:

• think effectively, decisively and with adequate control of their impulses
• interact with tolerance
• realize that they are being manipulated,
• consciously make time “off-line” to stay interact and foster human relationships the real world
• engage in physically beneficial activities for good health
• develop the skills of human-ness like being empathetic, kindness, positivity, and compassion

Without specific tenants of good digital interaction, an environment for hurtful, bullying, damaging, and even dangerous behavior is allowed to thrive. Children and teens often share too much personal information, interact with strangers who have “friended” or “followed” them in online communities, and feel the negative power that anonymity seems to provide. As the internet becomes an even greater presence in a student’s life, as a learning tool and information mecca, good digital citizenship is crucial.