Digital citizenship focus of weeklong events in schools

Date: 4/11/2013

By Chris Maza

chrism@thereminder.com

EAST LONGMEADOW — Later this month, students and parents of the East Longmeadow Public Schools will get an education on responsible digital citizenship in a technologically driven world.

East Longmeadow High School (ELHS) and Birchland Park Middle School will host Digital Citizenship Week from April 29 to May 3 to educate students in grades 6 through 12 and their parents or guardians on the benefits, dangers and responsibilities relating to different forms of today's electronic media.

"Digital tools are becoming more prominent in the classroom and students should be aware of issues such as ethics and safety that come with them," ELHS Principal Gina Flanagan said.

Flanagan added that given the negative perception that exists regarding certain technological aspects, specifically sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, among others, some parents choose to simply ban their use and ignore their existence. However, she said that method is not effective or advisable.

"Parents need to be educated on what is out there because this is the world the kids are living in and, like it or not, it's not stopping," she said. "These things and their uses are only going to grow as time goes on and we feel it is better to make sure people are as educated as possible. The goal of Digital Citizenship Week is to make sure kids and parents know."

Flanagan said the weeklong discussion focuses on middle and high school students and their families primarily because those are the groups who use technology the most, not only in the classroom, but in their personal lives.

Students will meet in small group settings to learn and discuss various topics. Each day, a different subject regarding technology will be covered, starting with 10-minute video segments created by a team of students. Following the video, a staff member will lead a discussion on what was covered.

The first two days are devoted primarily to social networking. The first day's topic is entitled "Social Networking & Your Online ID," Day two's topic is called "Social Networking: Privacy & Pressure." Cyber-bullying will be covered on day three. "Going Online: How much is too much?" is the topic for day four and the program rounds out with a discussion on digital etiquette.

A Parents Night will also take place on April 30 at 6:30 p.m. in the high school auditorium to discuss topics of social media and tips on how to manage children's use of digital devices.

"It's important to educate parents on what's out there," Flanagan said. "Many parents are not aware [of the dangers of social media] and they should be because it is a big part of kids' lives."

As part of the conversation, parents will view segments from a documentary piece done by the PBS program Frontline entitled "Growing Up Online."

For more information on Digital Citizenship Week, contact Flanagan at 525-5496 or gflanagan@eastlongmeadowma.gov.