If it weren’t true before, it is now. Our kids live in a digital world. Students participate in virtual classrooms and socialize with their friends and family in a digital space. We have a unique opportunity to help our students develop as positive digital citizens. How can you support your child? Check out these tips:
Online meeting manners to share with your child
Some GCPS teachers are providing online meetings to help support student learning. Find tips in this guide for student in grades K-5 and in the guide for middle and high school students. Reviewing the following simple guidelines for online meeting manners can help provide a positive experience for your child.
1. Mute the mic. Courtesy calls for a muted microphone unless a participant is speaking or has been called on.
2. Be respectful. Use headphones to avoid disrupting others in a shared space.
3. Be attentive. Staying focused ensures that everyone in the online meeting is contributing.
4. Limit background noise. This ensures that everyone on the call can hear the discussion.
Ways for your child to interact online during social isolation
Common Sense Media provides suggestions on how your child can participate in online playdates, game nights, and other social activities at a distance.
5. Online Playdates. Using video chat, children can play together, even when they are apart. For instance, with a Zoom or FaceTime session, friends can enjoy story time together. Other suggestions include building with LEGOS, playing with toys, making a craft, playing instruments or singing together, or doing a show-and-tell.
6. Game Nights. Play a board game together (via chat), such as Battleship, Sorry, or Monopoly. For most board games, each player will need to move both their piece and the other player(s) piece. Other games like charades, Pictionary, and Trivial Pursuit can be fun for groups of kids and don’t require that all players have the game on hand.
7. Social Games and Apps. Many gaming apps allow users to meet up with friends. Some games include options for texting and chatting with friends while playing. Group chat apps— such as Houseparty, Discord, and Bunch— include fun gaming elements as well, but make sure to read reviews and recommendations from Common Sense Media so you know the pluses and minuses for each platform.
8. Use a family media agreement to reinforce expectations
Developing and communicating clear expectations when it comes to technology is key.
9. Family media agreements ensure expectations are clear. Some examples include these— Common Sense Media Family Media Agreement, Family Media Contract: Cell Phone, Family Media Contract: Computer, and Family Media Contract: Video Games.
Learn more on Pinterest!
If you are a fan of Pinterest, follow the GCPS Pinterest board for Digital Citizenship. This collection of sites provides resources broken down by topic and age. Linked resources include tips related to the following topics:
10. Cyberbullying, including signs of cyberbullying and skills that will help your child be an “upstander, not a bystander, when others are bullied online.
11. Digital Footprint, including your child’s online social development
12. Online Safety and Security, including device management
13. Sensitive Topics such as sexting and peer pressure.
We’ll be sharing more tips so watch for the next installment of DLD Daily Dozen!