Digital Smarts - Helping Your Kids Build a Positive Identity Online
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Every time any of us search, purchase or post something online it becomes a piece of data that forms our online identity. This happens automatically and there is virtually nothing any of us can do to stop it. In particular, once we post something online, we are no longer in control of who sees it, shares it, copies it or uses it. That is something we all need to understand, and in turn, parents need to be ready to discuss this reality and set expectations for online behavior that will set kids up for success now and in the future.
So how can you help your children intentionally build a positive online identity? Five questions are central to understanding how a positive identity is formed and can be used to kick-start meaningful conversations about online behavior and identity:
What information am I sharing?
How secure is it?
Whom am I sharing it with?
What am I leaving behind?
What are my rights?
Close involvement of parents is essential as kids make choices about what they contribute online. It is also crucial to support our kids so that they not only represent themselves authentically, but safely.