Digital Skills For Your Children

 


We live in a digital age. Bank accounts, mortgage payments, taxes, and learning are all done online. Technology has had a considerable impact on the world around us and the world in which our children grow up. Children now have access to technology earlier than any other generation. This means part of their learning should be about how to handle the responsibility and other skills to support their learning journey. 



Digital citizenship is using technology in a responsible, safe, and effective way. Their online presence, the way they interact with people online, understand the culture within many digital platforms, and how they can consume media through that environment. 


Children often start their digital learning through games and applications. Over time they will move on to using their skills for more profound learning for the rest of their lives. Online typing programs and online maths programs can help support their in-classroom learning. 


But you can support their entire digital learning process by instilling these skills:

Identity

The digital identity is how we create and manage our online identity. This is about maintaining your integrity and understanding the real-world impact of the decisions we make. They can have long term effects on other people and ourselves. 

Rights

Teaching children about the rights they have online is one of the conditions that can keep them safe. Understand that sharing too much information can be a risk concern for them is essential. You can encourage them to read terms and conditions too. This will help them understand how much information a company may take from them. 

Literacy

Digital literacy is the skill of assessing, using, sharing, and creating content. Here you will teach your child how to think critically about the content they see online. Of course, as adults, we understand that many things we read online are opinion or false. However, children are more likely to believe what they read more quickly. 


You can guide them on choosing factually correct content and news from trustworthy contacts only. 

Communication

We are freer to communicate with anyone we like with thanks to digital technologies and social media. However, that comes with some responsibilities. Understanding how they communicate has an impact on the other side of the screen is important. Learning about online bullying and how our digital footprint can be viewed by others is important.

Security

We all learn not to share our PIN code and other essential information with people in the real world, but cybercriminals get more advanced each year. They use more sophisticated techniques to spread viruses and steal information via phishing emails. Teaching children how to create strong passwords, and how to prepare for potential security threats online is going to help them stay safe. 


Children are already growing up and using a range of technology from tablets and phones, to laptops and computers. It is essential that as well as understanding how to download applications, they understand how to protect themselves online, and communicate with others with respect and authenticity. 





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