Group items tagged

Some nice resources on creating a safe social network page. A document and an Interactive Whiteboard powerpoint file to use.

"For people to make informed and voluntary decisions about the exchange of their personal privacy for the benefits of social interaction, recognition and celebrity, they must understand the risks and benefits the choice entails. In particular, they must recognise that the snail trail of their online life can be matched, mashed, collated, broadcast and rebroadcast by anybody, in any context, for any reason, for many years into the future. What's out there - however partial, slanted, decontextualised or downright wrong - comprises your online, and contributes to your real-world, reputation."

"Common Sense Media is pleased to announce that the free CyberSmart! curriculum is now part of Common Sense Media's education programs. Over the next year, Common Sense will be updating the CyberSmart! lesson plans and adding video, interactive components, and a rich complement of parent resources to create an integrated K-12 Digital Literacy and Citizenship curriculum."

This site has to do with cultural awareness and cultural diversity

This article describes what cultural awareness is and how it works. It also describes how stereotypes are part of this area of awareness.

Being aware of another cultures religion and their holidays is very important. When you know these things about them it helps you get along with them better and create a relationship with them. Cultural awareness becomes central when we have to interact with people from other cultures. People see, interpret and evaluate things in a different ways. What is considered an appropriate behavior in one culture is frequently inappropriate in another one. Misunderstandings arise when I use my meanings to make sense of your reality.

Addictive behaviors is a concern when talking about online games or anything that people like -- I think this person is a perfect example of an addiction to a game, World of Warcraft, gone haywire.

There are hobbyists and there are fanatics. I cannot imagine the pricetag for the computer set up shown here and have to hope that these 11 computers used simultaneously to play world of warcraft are put to "good use" at other times during the day. I also see someone who is online but is not connected with others. To me, if I do things online - I like social spaces because of the "interaction" -- sort of like creating your own friend network of 36 different people and tweeting yourself all day -- sort of Sybil-ish, I think. Addictive behaviors is definitely part of digital health and wellness and helping people know when to draw the line.

The Internet has created a whole new world of social communications for young people who are using e-mail, social networking Web sites, instant messaging, chat rooms and text messaging to stay in touch with friends and make new ones. While most interactions are positive, increasingly kids are using these communication tools to antagonize and intimidate others. According to a 2008 University of Toronto cyber bullying survey, nearly one in five Canadian students surveyed reported having been bullied online in the past three months.[1] An Alberta study found that one-third of students who had cyber bullied, had also been victims themselves.[2]

New rules from the CIPA act in the US.

Lisa thuman blogged about the recent changes to the Children Internet Protection Act (CIPA) -- to those people who have rejected social networking and chats -- you're required to "educate minors on appropriate online safety including cyberbulling and interacting with others on social networking sites and in chat rooms." How are you going to do this without using safe alternatives and then coach them on it? This is REQUIRED in the US if you get erate funds. Get out there and get busy -- time for pushback. Lisa Thuman's article on this is an excellent read.

"1- Be friendly, positive and self-reflective. When people cannot see you, and also do not know you, feelings can be hurt if you are not careful in how you express yourself. The old saying, think before you speak is important here. Think before you write. One word of advice is do not respond when you feel angry. Wait. Write it down somewhere and come back to it. When you do, you may find that you no longer feel the same way as you did when you wrote it, because you have had time to reflect about the situation. Last, if you still feel the need to be heard, then edit before you post, and write it in terms that are easily embraced. This is also true when you feel a critique is necessary, say it in a positive tone. Reread what you have written to be sure it is positive. 2- Use proper language and titles. Do not use slang or even profane words in an online education environment, even if they are words you consider, "not so bad," as they will sound offensive to the reader. Do not refer to your professor as "Doc" or by his or her first name, unless it is acceptable with him or her to do so. Also, do not use caps lock when writing. It will insinuate yelling. That would hurt someone's feelings and possibly give him or her the wrong impression of you. 3- Use effective communication. This takes practice and thoughtful writing. Try to speak and write clearly at all times. Again, reread before you respond. Define and restate your words when necessary. Correct a misunderstanding right away. Chances are, if one person felt a certain way about what you said, then another may have as well. Likewise, be mindful of chosen words and joking. Let's say for example, I write, "get out!" This slang term can be interpreted in several ways, either positively or negatively. 4- Professionalism. Leave the characters like smiley faces, and instant message abbreviations out. Your friends may like it, but chances are, your professor will not. Save it for personal conversations or definitely ask

This organization has some good definitions of cyberbullying. Look here for definitions. Cyberbullying - ""Cyberbullying" is when a child, preteen or teen is tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed or otherwise targeted by another child, preteen or teen using the Internet, interactive and digital technologies or mobile phones."

Where you leave your digital footprints are so important - visit the waybackmachine to see why.

Current issues related to digital access and the law and current pending laws and the interaction of US laws and Globalization

In an age in which instant news and constant life streams from Facebook and Twitter change the way we communicate, the rules of etiquette surrounding these interactions are still evolving. What happens when I expected a phone call about something and read about it in a status update instead? What's the polite response to a distant friend posting bad news on Facebook? What to do with sensitive information? Making matters trickier, good etiquette on Facebook might not apply on Twitter or in an e-mail. These days, milestones like marriage, pregnancy, breakups and divorce are being described over more forms of communications than ever.

This is a good website that tells you how to be safe on the web.

This paragraph begins by disscussing kids and safety on the internet. offers tools to be involved in kids online safety. The article the importance of sharing an email account with a child and keeping the computer where you can see it. The article suggests having basic rules like never trading pictures and never revealing personal information. It also discusses being aware of preditors. So finally the article ends with warning signs like long hours online especially at night.

"Internet Safety Laws A federal law, the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), was created to help protect kids online. It's designed to keep anyone from obtaining a child's personal information without a parent knowing about it and agreeing to it first."

Ideas about the qualities of a digital citizen and how a good citizen interacts with the community.

Why parents should not let their 2 year old kids watch TV.

Tips for parents that think their kids are spending too much time with technology

Social Networking Sites

Facebook is one the most commonly used social networking sites. There are more than 800 million users and more than 70 languages used. More than 350 of Facebook's active users has access to the site on their phone and more than 475 mobile operators work to promote Facebook mobile products. Quote: "More than 50% of our active users log on to Facebook in any given day." -from this website

These statistics show that over 800 million people actively use Facebook! Its kind of scary to think that your child has the possibility of being friend-ed by any of them?! Be an aware parent and watch over your child's online activity, but do it form afar! Don't go get on their page! Make your own! That's taking away trust and we are entering a digital age! You need to be on the internet learning just as much as your children do! Quotes: Facts about Facebook: More than 800 million active user More than 900 million objects that people interact with (pages, groups, events and community pages) More than 70 languages available on the site On average, people on Facebook install apps more than 20 million times every day More than 350 million active users currently access Facebook through their mobile devices