Digital Smarts - Creating Digital Citizens

Perhaps at your back-to-school night this fall, your children’s school acknowledged the issue of digital citizenship. The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) defines digital citizenship as such: “Students understand human, cultural and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behavior.” So what does that mean exactly, and how can you help your children become good digital citizens? ISTE has expanded the definition to nine themes for parents and teachers to think about. These include not only digital literacy – learning how to use technology- but also electronic responsibility for actions and deeds involving the use of technology and the rights and responsibilities of everyone that is part of the digital world. Digital etiquette is also part of the equation as well as self-protection and security. For more on the subject take a look at Embracing the 9 Themes of Digital Citizenship .