About the Course
This class focuses on enhancing digital safety skills and navigating online environments responsibly and confidently during the middle school years.
Course Highlights:
Advanced Internet Safety Principles:
Building on foundational internet safety concepts to deepen understanding of online risks and safety measures.
Discussing the evolving nature of online threats and how to stay ahead of potential dangers.
Privacy and Security:
Understanding the importance of digital privacy and how to protect personal information online.
Learning how to manage privacy settings on social media and other online platforms to control who can see and access personal data.
Recognizing and Avoiding Online Risks:
Practicing strategies to avoid and respond to risks, including how to recognize suspicious emails and links.
Safe Social Media Practices:
Learning how to create a positive online presence and interact safely and respectfully with others.
Managing Online Relationships:
Discussing the importance of maintaining healthy boundaries in online relationships and friendships.
Learning how to handle online conflicts and how to seek help if encountering negative or harmful interactions.
Cyberbullying Prevention, Response and Accountability:
Understanding what cyberbullying is, its effects, and how to prevent it.
Developing strategies to deal with cyberbullying, including how to report incidents and seek support from trusted adults.
Self evaluation of online behavior and assessing if we are a part of the problem.
Creating Strong Digital Passwords:
Discussing the importance of using unique passwords for different accounts and recognizing signs of compromised security.
Evaluating Online Content:
Learning how to distinguish between accurate and misleading information and understanding the importance of fact-checking.
Digital Footprint Awareness:
Discussing how to manage and protect one’s digital footprint by making thoughtful online choices.
Balancing Screen Time:
Discussing strategies for managing screen time and ensuring a healthy balance between digital and real-life experiences.
Emergency Online Situations:
Learning how to handle emergency situations that may arise online, such as encountering inappropriate content or online predators.
Practicing steps to take when feeling unsafe or uncomfortable online, including who to contact for help.
Role-Playing and Scenario-Based Learning:
Engaging in role-playing activities and scenario-based exercises to apply digital safety skills in realistic situations.
Practicing responses to various online challenges and developing problem-solving strategies.
By the end of this course, our Sprouts will have developed advanced digital safety skills, empowering them to navigate the online world with confidence and responsibility. "Digital Smarts" is a guide to thriving safely and securely in the digital age.