The Importance of Digital Safety

When tasked with the group assignment of presenting on Copyright Laws and Fair User Practices, I thought it would be fairly easy because it is common knowledge. I was mistaken and discovered that many people do not realize when they are infringing Copyright Laws and most do not know what Fair User Practices are. I am glad that we were able to present this information to the class because we were educating ourselves as well. I think that this information should be taught as early as the elementary level because students are beginning to do research projects at that level and they get much of their resources from the internet. I especially enjoyed making our group website and recording our video.

I think all five topics of the Digital Safety assignment are crucial for every student to be aware of because if ignored, they could somehow endanger their lives. In August 2007, a bill entitled, "Protecting the Children in the 21st Century Act" was introduced and passed by the senate, but never passed by the House of Representatives (S. 1965 [110th]: Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act). I feel that by not passing this law, it shows that the digital safety of children are not important.

As teachers, it is our responsibility to stress to our students how imperative it is be digitally safe. When it is time to teach my students about digital safety, I will give them a few scenarios about each topic and ask what they will do if in that particular situation. I will then present real life instances where unfortunate events have happened to those who were not careful with their privacy or who did not follow laws. I can also encourage parents to raise awareness in their children by remaining positively engaged by monitoring their children's online activity, teaching critical thinking when assessing if a website if safe, as well as becoming good digital citizens by protecting their privacy and being polite (Raising Digital Citizens). Lastly, I can assess my students by quizzing them on the lesson that was presented. Overall, I enjoyed this final group project and I think it is a great lesson for any grade level.



[Copyright All Rights Reserved image]. Retrieved on November 25, 2014, from http://tabb.solutions/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/copyrightAllrightsreserved.jpg

Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act (2008 - S. 1965). (n.d.). Retrieved November 25, 2014, from https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/110/s1965

Raising Digital Citizens | StaySafeOnline.org. (n.d.). Retrieved November 25, 2014, from http://www.staysafeonline.org/stay-safe-online/for-parents/raising-digital-citizens

[Untitled image of an officer]. Retrieved on November 25, 2014, from http://www.floatingbanana.com/artbackwash/protect.png

[Untitled image of two people conversing]. Retrieved on November 25, 2014, from http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/176530/file-20789529-png/images/talk_green.png