Partnering for Progress: A Parent's Guide to Digital Citizenship
- Navigate the Digital World Together
- Understanding the digital world: Decode the Apps and Platforms
- Become a digital support system: Partner with Teachers for Success
Navigate the Digital World Together
The digital world can feel like a foreign land for parents. But fear not, Turner County Titans are here to help! This section equips you with the tools to have open and honest conversations with your child about:
Online Safety
- Digital Citizenship 101: Responsible Online Behavior:
- This comprehensive guide covers the basics of digital citizenship, emphasizing responsible use of technology. It discusses topics such as privacy, online behavior, and cultivating good habits. Parents can find valuable insights here to guide their children in the digital world.
- Talking to Your Child About Appropriate Online Behavior:
- Parents can use this guide to discuss the risks of sharing personal information online. It highlights the potential permanence of photos, videos, and comments posted online. By having open conversations, parents can help their children make informed choices.
- Online Internet Safety Lesson:
- Spend time talking about the importance of not sharing personal information online and the significance of privacy settings. Encourage children to create a poster or infographic highlighting internet safety tips, such as using strong passwords, avoiding suspicious links, and limiting online sharing.
Cyberbullying Prevention
- What is Cyberbullying?:
- Cyberbullying involves actions like name-calling, teasing, spreading false rumors, creating fake social media accounts, and sending hurtful messages. Parents should emphasize kindness, respect, and empathy online.
- Mayo Clinic’s Article on Cyberbullying Prevention:
- Discuss what cyberbullying is, how it traumatizes others, and its consequences. Set clear expectations, monitor behavior, and praise improved behaviors.
Healthy Screen Time Limits
- The 5 Core Healthy Screen Habits:
- These essential practices include:
- Asking: Encourage children to ask themselves why they’re using a device and how long it will take.
- The Grandma Rule: Remind them not to share anything online that they wouldn’t want their grandma to see.
- Phones Away or Silent: Put phones away during important tasks or when spending time with others.
- Put Your Phone to Bed: Charge devices outside the bedroom to protect sleep.
- No Phones in Bedrooms: Keep bedrooms tech-free.
- These essential practices include:
- Family Technology Plan:
- Screen Limits for Children:
- Limit screen time for healthy brain development. Encourage movement, sleep, and a variety of activities.
Understanding the digital world: Decode the Apps and Platforms
The ever-changing digital landscape can be confusing! This section helps you gain a basic understanding of popular apps and social media platforms your child uses. Here's what you'll find:
App Descriptions
Let’s explore some popular apps, their intended age groups, and key features:
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Social Media Apps:
Intended Age Group: Primarily teenagers and adults.- Key Features:
- Facebook: A versatile platform for connecting with friends, sharing updates, and joining groups.
- Instagram: Focused on photo and video sharing, with features like Stories and Reels.
- Twitter: Allows short text-based posts (tweets) and following other users.
- TikTok: Known for short-form videos, music, and creative challenges.
- Snapchat: Features disappearing photos and videos (Snaps) and fun filters.
- LinkedIn: Professional networking platform for career development.
- Key Features:
-
Gaming Apps:
Intended Age Group: Varies widely; some games are suitable for all ages, while others are more mature.- Key Features:
- Minecraft: Creative sandbox game where players build, explore, and survive.
- Fortnite: Battle Royale game with building mechanics and social features.
- Among Us: Social deduction game where players work together to identify impostors.
- Roblox: Platform for creating and playing user-generated games.
- Pokémon GO: Augmented reality game that encourages outdoor exploration.
- Key Features:
-
Educational Apps:
Intended Age Group: Children and students of all ages.- Key Features:
- Duolingo : Language learning app with gamified lessons.
- Khan Academy: Offers free educational content on various subjects.
- Quizlet: Helps with studying and memorization through flashcards and quizzes.
- ABCmouse: Early learning app for preschoolers.
- Photomath: Solves math problems by scanning handwritten or printed equations.
- Key Features:
-
Entertainment Apps:
Intended Age Group: Varies; some are family-friendly, while others are for adults.
Safety Settings
Conversation Starters
Become a digital support system: Partner with Teachers for Success
At Turner County Schools, we believe in fostering a strong home-school connection. This section empowers YOU to become a digital support system for your child by collaborating with teachers to create a consistent approach to digital citizenship. Here's how:
- Teacher Communication: Stay connected with your child's teacher! Discuss the digital citizenship topics covered in class and explore ways to reinforce those concepts at home.
- Parent Workshops: Attend workshops offered by the school to learn more about popular apps, online safety strategies, and setting healthy screen time limits.
- Joint Initiatives: Work with other parents and teachers to develop community-wide initiatives that promote positive digital citizenship habits in students.
By working together, we can create a safe and supportive digital environment where your child can thrive and become a responsible digital citizen.