Molly Hunter

2166154
EDUC3628 – Numeracy and ICT
Assignment 2
Blog Post

Digital Citizenship

Introduction
Within the Australian Curriculum it is required that all students develop Information and
Communication Technology (ICT) capabilities through ‘learning to use ICT effectively and
appropriately to access, create and communicate information and ideas, solve problems
and work collaboratively in all learning areas’. This essentially translates to say students
must be able to use ICT throughout school and home life safely and effectively.

The ICT Capability can be broken in to elements, one of which is ‘applying social and
ethical protocols and practices when using ICT’. This element involves students
developing their understanding of how social and ethical protocols and practices are
applied when using ICT and is a key focus within our school community. Following these
protocols and practices can allow students to develop their digital citizenship, specifically
through the following six tenets.

1. Respect yourself
The respect yourself tenet asks us to consider what we are doing online and whether it is
putting us at risk: the ramifications that may come from what we share and the type of
information we chose to let others see. Ensuring that we control the information we
share online can ensure that potential employers and members of the community see us
as respectful citizens.

Within the classroom, we ensure that any information about students posted by the
school is limited and is only posted with parental consent. We also aim to educate our
students regarding what is safe and respectful to be shared in the digital world and how
to share the information safely; encouraging them to THINK before they share.
 Molly Hunter
2166154

Image courtesy of Flickr and Thomas Galvez

Our classroom approach however, could be further supported with your help at home.
Ensuring your children are safely sharing information online (such as on Facebook,
Twitter, Snap Chat, and through other social media sites as well as their email addresses
etc.) by checking in with them regularly. Supporting the classroom discussions regarding
what is safe to share online by having your own home discussions would reinforce these
ideas.

2. Protect yourself
Keeping information that should be private, private (restricting the audience)
Online predators
Recognising that once something is posted, you can never completely get rid of it (digital
footprints)
Protecting young people in the digital world seems like a never-ending battle; no matter
how many times you explain the dangers of the online world. Teaching youth about
information that should remain private in most situations (such as passwords, bank
details, addresses etc.) and how to restrict audiences on the information we do share is
vital in helping them to protect themselves. This can also protect them from online
predators who may prey on their trusting nature. As a school we aim to educate students
on the warning signs of predators and inform students to approach a trusted adult
should they ever feel unsafe.

Another aspect of protecting yourself online involves recognising your digital footprint
and understanding how digital footprints can follow you in life. For our students, we
emphasise the importance of positive online behaviour through showing them how
everything posted online can be retrieved, whether it be by potential employers, friends,
or even the police. Helping your children understand how their actions can follow them
into the future should cement these ideas.
 Molly Hunter
2166154
3. Respect others
Respecting others in the digital world is just as important as respecting yourself; this is
the message we pass on to students. We aim to teach them to recognise their
responsibility to look after their friends and peers. This message links to our focus on
cyber bullying. Cyber bullying can hurt many people however, sometimes from behind a
screen, students feel detached from their actions. With your help, we aim to teach them
that their actions have consequences and that we must help to protect others online.

4. Protect others
When it comes to protecting others, we encourage our students to tell themselves ‘if it
makes me feel uncomfortable, it’s not appropriate and I should report that’. By reporting
and not passing on any inappropriate material we see online, we can make sure that we
are looking after our friends and peers.

5. Respect intellectual property

Respecting intellectual property involves acknowledging sources of information and
supporting the creative commons movement. Acknowledging sources, through practices
such as referencing, is a focus within our school. Through recognising where our
information and resources come from we ensure that we are respecting those that
published or created them. Creative commons; a non-profit organisation which provides
licences and copyright tools that allow people to share, reuse, and remix their material
legally, making it clear what users can and cannot do with material. Through supporting
this movement, both in class and at home, students can better understand how to use
information and resources respectfully.

6. Protect intellectual property

Students probably already have an understanding of illegal activity online, such as
downloading and plagiarism, but may not fully understand the severity of these actions.
Discussing both the legal issues and the morality of taking others property and the risks
of doing so. Within the classroom, we emphasise the importance of recognising where
something has been sourced through referencing, and do not use any illegally
downloaded media. You can support this learning at home by modelling this behaviour in
front of your children.

Conclusion
As teachers and parents/caregivers, it is vital that we model good digital citizenship by
living by the above six tenets. If young people are able to see responsible adults around
them respecting and protecting themselves, others, and intellectual property, they may
better understand what it means to be a good digital citizen and the responsibilities that
come with digital citizenship.

For more information regarding digital citizenship and young people, these websites may
be useful:
 Australian Curriculum – ICT Capability
 Creative Commons Australia
 Digital Passport
 Respect Yourself as a Digital Citizen
 The Digital Citizen – Andrew Churches