• Grown-ups dread it. Kids need it. It's time to have The Talk. You don't want kids learning about the birds and the bees on the playground. And when it comes to navigating social media, online games, smartphones, and the Internet, it's best for kids to get their info from a trusted source.

    We may think of our kids’ online, mobile, and technological activities as “digital life,” but to them it’s just life. In their world, being able to connect and communicate 24/7 from just about any location is normal.  Phones aren’t simply for phone calls anymore but for listening to music, sending texts, filming videos, snapping and sharing photos, and accessing the Internet. Our kids are using computers and tablets to socialize, stream video, and create movies and songs. And they can connect and communicate 24/7 from just about any location.

    Guerrero Elementary School strives to provide our students with the tools to make good choices, and a diversified technical knowledge to enhance their success.  Teachers and students will use these skills to stimulate curiosity and develop critical thinking in all areas of teaching and the learning cycle.  We also want our students to be aware of inappropriate content and of exposure to risks such as:

    • Cyber bullying- Compromising their privacy

    • Sexting- Establishing a damaging digital footprint

    • Digital relationships

    That’s why Guerrero has partnered with Common Sense Media to provide resources, tips, videos, and other materials to help parents and teachers keep our students safe in the digital world. 

    With 92 percent of teens going online daily and nearly three-quarters of kids age 0–8 using apps, having The Talk is an essential rite of passage.

    As parents and educators, we want to raise kids to be safe, responsible, and ethical in the digital world. Giving kids a solid understanding of how we expect them to behave -- both online and off -- starts everyone off on the right foot. Plus, it's actually a lot easier than that other talk.  So, it's now time to have THE TALK

     

    INFORMATION QUOTED DIRECTLY FROM COMMON SENSE MEDIA
    (https://www.commonsensemedia.org/educators/digitalcitizenshipweek)

     

  • It’s Time to Have “The Talk” @ Home (ENGLISH)

    You don’t have to be an expert on texting, Instagram, Minecraft -- or whatever else your kids are into -- to have The Talk. Start by reading up on what's going on in your kids’ world (for younger kids and older kids). Ask them to show you what they like online, and why. Make sure to listen :) Then, express a few basic expectations, with the understanding that this isn't a one-and-done kind of chat. Good luck (you’ll be fine)!

    Here are the 5 basics to cover during The Talk:

    BE KIND.

    Try to instill a sense of empathy in your kids. Remember: there’s someone else on the other side of the screen.

    • Younger kids: Treat others like you want to be treated -- and always follow a website’s rules for behavior. Ask: How do you see other kids behaving online? What are some nice things you’ve seen other kids do?
    • Older kids: Post constructive comments, and avoid getting into flame wars with trolls. Ask:What kind of positive behavior do you see online?
    KEEP PRIVATE THINGS PRIVATE.

    Talk about what’s OK for kids to share online and what’s not.

    • Younger kids: Get kids to think about safety without scaring them. Don’t share your name, address, school, age, etc. Ask: Why don’t we want strangers to know certain things about us or our family?
    • Older kids: Don’t broadcast your location, send photos to strangers, or share passwords with friends. Ask: What kind of information can be unsafe to share, and what’s fair game?
    DON’T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU SEE.

    Just because it’s online doesn’t make it true. Not everybody is who they say they are.

    • Younger kids: Teach kids to be detectives. Ask: How can you tell whether something is true online? What are some signs that something might not be true?
    • Older kids: Use reputable sources. Learn to recognize red flags. Ask: How can you tell what’s a reliable source of information? What are some signs something’s a scam?
    DON’T OVERSHARE.

    Think before you post. Use privacy settings.

    • Younger kids: Help kids understand what sharing something online means. Ask: Who can see what you’re doing or saying online?
    • Older kids: Encourage kids to pause before they act. Ask: What are some questions you can ask yourself before you share something online? Have you ever regretted something you’ve posted or said online?
    STAND UP FOR OTHERS.

    If someone’s getting bullied or picked on, speak up, report it, or reach out.

    • Younger kids: Make sure kids know they can come to you for help. Teach them how to flag misbehavior. Ask: What would you do if you saw someone being mean online or in a game?
    • Older kids: Give kids tools to use in a crisis. Ask: If someone was being mean to you online, what would you want your friends to do? Do you know how to flag or report bullying on a social network or in a multiplayer game?

    Download these tips. For more questions (and answers!), check out our Parent Concerns resources.

    (Quoted verbatim from Common Sense Media -  https://www.commonsensemedia.org/educators/digitalcitizenshipweek/home)