Do we know how to be safe online?

First of all, let’s quickly check our digital footprints by searching our names on Google and see if there are any unexpected results showing up.

Are we happy with the results?
Maybe or maybe not!?

Now what?

It is time to learn about internet safety!!

Today, Jesse Miller from Mediated Reality talked about social media, as well as how to be safe online. I personally think that this is such an important topic because nowadays almost all of the students have a cellphone, and they definitely go on many different social media platforms. This is very relatable to my learning journey because I will be working in a Middle School for my first practicum, and middle schoolers are still learning and trying to experience different things online via social media platforms such as

I wanted to add Facebook as well, but then realized that students in middle school think that Facebook is for old(er) people (Ouch!)

It is sooo important to make sure that our students can be safe online!!

BUT HOW DO WE TEACH THAT??

  • Discuss terms and conditions even though we all know that nobody reads them…
  • Teach them about digital footprints!! And yes, Snapchat does save your photos somewhere…
  • Talk about identity theft and maybe that example of an online dating site…
  • Brainstorm ideas ​and activities for safer internet use. Yes, students can come up with rules that they all agree with
  • Have a debate about cell phones used in the classrooms

Lastly, I want to finish up this block post with a TedTalk from Jesse, which I found very helpful. I hope you enjoy this video as much as I do!