Digital Citizenship: Digital Access
Last week we officially began our year-long 7th Grade Digital Citizenship Program. Using Bailey and Ribble’s work as a guide, the first topic the students, teachers, and parents explored was Digital Access. Typically defined as “full electronic participation in society,” the access issue for our community is not one of being able to participate but rather of moderating one’s level of participation and maintaining a healthy “digital diet”:
After viewing the preceding video at home, students and parents completed separate surveys related to media use/digital access. Although perhaps not as scientific or comprehensive as the Pew Internet research, the results were insightful. With the exception of video games and reading for pleasure, the media habits of students and parents were generally quite similar:
- 40% of students and 49% of parents watch 1-2 hours of television
- 64% of students and 6% of parents play 1-2 hours of video games
- 64% of students and 53% of parents email or IM for less than an hour
- 48% of students and 54% of parents surf the Internet for less than an hour
- 27% of students and 7% of parents do not read for pleasure
- 86% of parents have rules about Internet use
- The Internet is the favorite form of media for students
- Books and Magazines are the favorite form of media for parents
When asked, “Do you feel your level (student survey)/your child’s level (parent survey) of media use is healthy, there was a small difference of perception:
While these levels are encouraging, we must (1) remember that their digital world is largely limited/controlled by adults and (2) work to help those who access to excess. Hopefully over time, as we continue to learn more about Digital Citizenship, all of our students will become self-regulatory and lead balanced lives.
