Layers of Safety

    1. Digital Citizenship Curriculum*
      • Blocking sites is ineffective management as new sites or workarounds pop up the next day.  Educating the user is the only way to build knowledge and understanding
      • EX: We don't teach kids how to behave in the cafeteria by keeping them out of the cafeteria.  We guide them and model good behaviors.  
    2. Structured learning tasks*
    3. Classroom management 
    4. ADULT SUPERVISION*
      • We can implement the best content filtering in the world, but nothing will replace the proper supervision and verbal reminders from adults. 
      • Model your expectations.  If you don't want your child scrolling a screen, then set the example they should follow.    

     

    *Practices that can be replicated at home.

  •    

         Keep in mind, these are still "shiny new" objects for kids and they will quickly look at them as toys if we don't properly educate and train students to believe these are TOOLS FOR LEARNING.  While learning can be fun, these devices should be treated as tools, not toys.  Treating them as tools would include avoiding using them excessively to pacify or reward.  Children can become easily conditioned by this and screen addiction can create long-term issues.  Great alternatives are coloring, puzzles, Play Doh, Lego, inventing from recycables and problem solving.      

     

         With plenty of screen time practice in school, there is no need for students to be on a device outside of school unless they have been assigned homework.  In school, students are provided with proper instruction and support for safe exploration.  Outside of school, students greatly benefit from the emotional connections they build with family and friends by engaging in common activities.   

     

    Click here for some tips and tricks over break.  

    Break Ideas