💻 TechnologyGrade 2Lesson 21
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Being Kind Online: Digital Citizenship Rules

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Learning Objectives

  • 1Define digital citizenship and sort behaviors into kind and unkind online categories
  • 2Explain what cyberbullying is
  • 3State what to do if unkind behavior happens to me or someone I know
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Mini Lesson

Would you walk up to a friend and say something mean to their face? Probably not — because you know it is wrong and hurtful. The same rule applies online. Just because you cannot see someone’s face when you type a message does not mean your words cannot hurt them. Real people have real feelings — online or off.

What is digital citizenship?

  • A citizen is someone who is part of a community and follows the rules that keep everyone safe and respected.
  • A digital citizen is someone who uses technology and the internet responsibly, kindly, and safely.
  • Being a good digital citizen means treating others online the same way you want to be treated.

Kind online behaviors

  • Using polite, respectful words in messages and comments.
  • Giving positive feedback on someone’s work — "That’s a great drawing!"
  • Asking before sharing a photo that includes someone else.
  • Leaving a kind comment on a friend’s post.
  • Including everyone — not leaving someone out of an online group on purpose.
  • Telling a trusted adult if someone online is being unkind.

Unkind online behaviors (and what to do)

  • Sending mean, hurtful, or threatening messages — this is called cyberbullying.
  • Leaving someone out of a group chat on purpose to make them feel bad.
  • Sharing embarrassing photos of someone without their permission.
  • Pretending to be someone else online to trick or frighten a person.
  • Posting mean comments on someone’s picture or work.

What is cyberbullying — and what do you do?

  • Cyberbullying is when someone uses technology to deliberately hurt, frighten, or embarrass another person repeatedly.
  • If it happens to you: Do not reply. Screenshot it. Tell a trusted adult immediately.
  • If you see it happening to someone else: Do not share or "like" it. Tell a trusted adult.
  • You are never in trouble for reporting cyberbullying — you are doing the right thing.

The golden rule of digital citizenship

  • Before you post, ask: Would I be comfortable saying this to the person’s face? Would I be happy if an adult saw this?
  • If the answer to either question is no — do not send it.
Kind versus unkind online behaviorTwo columns — kind behaviors on the left (green), unkind behaviors on the right (red).Online BehaviorKindUnkindUse polite, respectfulwords in messagesGive kind commentson someone's workAsk before sharingsomeone's photoInclude everyone —don't leave people outTell an adult if you see unkindnessSend mean or hurtfulmessages (cyberbullying)Post mean commentson someone's pictureShare an embarrassingphoto without permissionLeave someone out ofa group chat on purposePretend to be someone else online
Five kind online behaviors (green) versus five unkind behaviors (red).
What to do if cyberbullying happens, plus the golden ruleThree steps (do not reply, screenshot, tell a trusted adult) then the golden rule for deciding what to post.If Cyberbullying Happens...1. Do NOTreplyresponding makesthings worse2. Take ascreenshotsave evidenceof the message3. Tell atrusted adultimmediately —you are not in troubleThe Golden Rule — Before You Post, Ask:"Would I say thisto their face?"No? Don't send it."Would an adult behappy seeing this?"No? Don't send it.
Three steps if cyberbullying happens, plus the two-question golden rule for deciding what to post.
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Ask yourself: "What is a digital citizen? What is cyberbullying? What should I do if someone is unkind to me online?"

Vocabulary
Digital citizen
A kind, safe person who uses the internet welle.g. A good digital citizen says nice things online.
Online
On the internete.g. I play games online with my cousin.
Kindness
Saying or doing things that make others feel goode.g. Show kindness in every chat message.
Cyberbullying
Being mean to someone over the internete.g. Cyberbullying is never OK.
Respect
Treating people kindly, even when you disagreee.g. I write with respect, even online.
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