How to be a Good Digital Citizen

Proper Netiquette

Netiquette introduces how to communicate on the internet properly. One of the lines of communication we use online is email. Other types of online communication include Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok, etc. However, social media is a compelling resource and provides instantaneous communication. Social media can also create problems with cyberbullying. Cyberbullying includes sending or sharing negative or harmful content and pictures over digital devices. Some forms of cyberbullying can be considered criminal behavior. 

 

In schools and many real-world jobs, email is used to communicate many different things. It is important to display professionalism within the email. These are a few tips on how to formulate an email. 

When you formulate an email, you must:

  • Know your audience
  • Proofread before you click send
  • Include a proper heading, signature, and subject line
  • Choose an easy to read font and text size.
  • Attach proper attachments before sending if needed 

 

Email DO's and DONT'S

 

Reference Materials: Digital Literacy: Computer Skills, Netiquette & Internet Safety

 

Social Networking Policy

Social media policies are for everyone's safety. The School Run offers these social media policy suggestions. 

For staff, requirements typically include:

  • Not accepting friend requests from current pupils or ex-pupils under the age of 13
  • Notifying the parents if a child sends a friend request
  • Using extreme caution when corresponding with parents via social media, preferably using a school email address instead.
  • Not discussing anything to do with school, pupils, or other staff members, or posting photos of school events.
  • Only posting things that they would be happy to be attributed to them as a teaching professional.
  • Not identifying themselves as being associated with the school.
  • Using the tightest privacy settings possible
  • Not using social media on school devices or personal devices while on the school premises.

Parental requirements often include:

  • Not posting photos, videos, or comments that include other children at the school.
  • Not using social media on their own devices while on school premises.
  • Not accessing social media while helping at school or on school visits.
  • Raising queries, concerns, and complaints directly with the school rather than posting them on social media – whether on their own pages, in closed groups (e.g., groups set up for school parents to communicate with each other) the school's pages.
  • Not posting anything malicious about the school or any member of the school community.

Children are typically required to:

  • Not join any social networking sites if they are below the permitted age (13 for most sites including Facebook and Instagram)
  • Tell their parents if they are using the sites and when they are online.
  • Be aware of how to report abuse and inappropriate content.
  • Not access social media on school devices or their own devices while they're at school.
  • Not make inappropriate comments (including in private messages) about the school, teachers, or other children.

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 Reference Materials: School social media policies explained

 

Cyberbullying Policy 

Cyberbullying often occurs over social media, text messaging/messenger, or email. 

According to StopBullying.gov some of the most common cyberbullying tactics include:

  • Posting comments or rumors about someone online that are mean, hurtful, or embarrassing.
  • Threatening to hurt someone or telling them to kill themselves. 
  • Posting a mean or hurtful picture or video. 
  • Pretending to be someone else online to solicit or post personal or false information about someone else. 
  • Posting means or hateful names, comments, or content about race, religion, ethnicity, or other personal characteristics online.
  • Creating a mean or hurtful webpage about someone. 
  • Doxing, an abbreviated form of the word documents, is a form of online harassment used to exact revenge and to threaten and destroy the privacy of individuals by making their personal information public, including addresses, social security, credit card, and phone numbers, links to social media accounts, and other private data.

Cyberbullying is non-tolerable. It is punishable up to the revocation of device privileges while at school. 

 

Reference Materials: Cyberbullying Tactics 

Cyber bullying and Social Media

Picture Reference: Humanities, Arts, Science, and Technology Alliance and Collaboratory

 

Parents: Please report this behavior if you discover your child is being cyberbullied.  

STOP BULLYING NOW HOTLINE (USA) 1-800-273-8255

  • Helpline set up by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
  • Available 24/7

Reference Materials: The Cyber Smile Foundation