This document provides information about digital literacy and online safety for parents and students. It defines digital literacy as the ability to find, evaluate, create and communicate information using technology, requiring both cognitive and technical skills. The importance of technology use in education is discussed, as well as how to identify good research sources and achieve online safety. Resources for digital literacy and safety training are provided, including websites, games and surveys.

1. DIGITAL UNDERSTANDING 101
What parents and students need to know about Digital Literacy and Online Safety.
Written By: Stacey Davenport
Digital Literacy: July 15, 2017

2. WHAT IS DIGITAL LITERACY?
Digital literacy is an
information highway in which
the world communicates. It is
also the platform in which we
share information in the 21st
Century.

3. WHAT IS DIGITAL LITERACY
According to the American Library
Association, their digital-literacy task
force defines digital literacy as the
"ability to use information and
communication technologies to find,
evaluate, create, and communicate
information, requiring both cognitive
and technical skills“
(ALA, 2016)

4. THE IMPORTANCE OF USING TECHNOLOGY
For some students, school is the
only opportunity at being exposed
to technology and its benefits to
their educational advances.
Technology needs to be tangible
with frequent practice at utilizing it
so that students become
accustomed to using it while
reaping the benefits of its
exposure.

5. THE IMPORTANCE OF USING TECHNOLOGY
Having technology at your fingertips
becomes obsolete if you are illiterate
at maneuvering through the
technology to utilize this tool. This is
where being literate (the ability to
use/read and write) at technology is
important to utilize this information
highway. Knowing this helps to
determine whether you are digitally
literate or digitally illiterate.

6. WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR STUDENTS TO USE AND
BE EXPOSED TO TECHNOLOGY?
Technology supports student learning as a tool for
differentiated instruction
Technology is a gateway to a plethora of information.
Technology exposes students to the way the world is currently
running and what they should expect to look for in the future.
3 reasons students should use technology

7. HOW DO I ACHIEVE ONLINE SAFETY?
• Put firewalls in place to protect the students against
online resources that are considered unsafe.
• Educate students about internet safety tips
• Educating your students on the importance of the safety
precautions while using the internet
3 Easy steps to help achieve online safety

8. HOW DO I ACHIEVE ONLINE SAFETY CONT.?
1. FIRST EDUCATE YOURSELF, THEN YOUR CHILD
2. TEACH CHILDREN THE OBVIOUS IDENTITY RULES
3. INSTALL AN INTERNET FILTER OR FAMILY SAFETY SOFTWARE
4. KNOW THE DANGERS ASSOCIATED WITH SITES YOUR CHILDREN FREQUENT
5. TEACH CHILDREN WHAT TO DO IF THEY ENCOUNTER PORNOGRAPHY ON A HOME
OR PUBLIC COMPUTER, SUCH AS AT A SCHOOL OR A LIBRARY
Net Nanny (https://www.netnanny.com/learn-center/safety-tips/)
Top 10 Tips to keep in mind when trying to achieve online safety

9. HOW DO I ACHIEVE ONLINE SAFETY CONT.?
6. MANAGE YOUR CHILDREN'S TIME ON THE INTERNET
7. SET SPECIFIC INTERNET GUIDELINES FOR YOUR CHILDREN TO LIVE BY AND
CONSISTENTLY ENFORCE CONSEQUENCES, IF THEY ARE NOT BEING FOLLOWED
8. KEEP COMPUTERS OUT OF CHILDREN'S BEDROOMS AND IN OPEN AREAS
9. CREATE A RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR CHILDREN THAT IS CONDUCIVE TO OPEN
COMMUNICATION
10. UNDERSTAND INTERNET PRIVACY POLICIES AS THEY APPLY TO YOUR CHILD
Net Nanny (https://www.netnanny.com/learn-center/safety-tips/)
Top 10 Tips to keep in mind when trying to achieve online safety

10. HOW TO IDENTIFY GOOD SOURCES FOR
RESEARCH?
Perform a CRAAP Evaluation to see if the source you or your
child is using is worth using as a source.
CURRENCY/ TIMELINESS:
REVELANCE/COVERAGE OF THE TOPIC
AUTHORITY
ACCURACY
PURPOSE
This information was obtained from the R. Lewis Library
http://library.lsco.edu/help/web-page-rubric.pdf

11. HOW TO IDENTIFY
GOOD SOURCES FOR
RESEARCH CONT.?
Here is a copy of the
evaluation sheet to
perform the CRAAP
Evaluation. Below is PDF
Link with detailed
description.
This information was obtained from the R. Lewis Library
http://library.lsco.edu/help
/web-page-rubric.pdf

12. WHAT CAN I DO TO BE BETTER PREPARED TO TALK WITH MY
CHILD ABOUT DIGITAL LITERACY AND ONLINE SAFETY?
You can start by visiting the NetSmart website. There you will find resource and
videos on
• Digital literacy topics
• Inappropriate & Sexual Content
• Online Privacy
• Cyberbullying
And much more……………
Take time to explore this website
Please check out the website: http://www.netsmartz.org/Parents

13. WHAT CAN I DO TO BE BETTER PREPARED TO TALK WITH MY
CHILD ABOUT DIGITAL LITERACY AND ONLINE SAFETY?
You can also get training on digital literacy and online safety.
• Start by click on the link below (if you are having trouble opening the link, copy and past the link into the web address area)
• Click on educator
• Click on the learn more lab under Online Educator Training Program
• Stroll down and create a Netsmart account
• Once you create an account, you can began the Online Educator Training Program.
• Upon completion of the training you will receive a certificate
Challenge yourself and complete the training website:
http://www.netsmartz.org/Parents

14. ADDITIONAL RESOURCE ON DIGITAL LITERACY AND
ONLINE SAFETY?
NetSmart: http://www.netsmartz.org/Parents
AWSA: https://awsa.memberclicks.net/update-article--why-digital-citizenship-is-digital-
pbis--and-why-it-really-matters
Cornell University Digital Literacy Resource: https://digitalliteracy.cornell.edu/

15. QUIZ YOURSELF. WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT DIGITAL
LITERACY AND ONLINE SAFETY
https://play.kahoot.it/#/k/c29b8109-6f93-4e26-8696-55ec0081de9a
Go to kahoot.it to take the quiz. The link allows you to move
through the questions. Kahoo.it allows you to answer the
question. Use you cell phone or any device with internet
access pin number you see. Create a kahoot account it you
would like to save your results

16. LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2ZJF6RJ
Please take a few minutes to fill out this survey on digital
literacy.

17. GAMES AND INTERACTIVE RESOURCE
DIGITAL LITERACY AND ONLINE SAFETY
http://www.nsteens.org/Games http://www.nsteens.org/Quizzes
http://www.nsteens.org/Videos
Games and
resources retrieved
from nsteen.org . A
link associated with
netsmart

18. GAMES, QUIZZES, AND INTERACTIVE RESOURCE
DIGITAL LITERACY AND ONLINE SAFETY
http://www.abcya.com/cyber_fi
ve_internet_safety.htm
https://www.att.com/Common/i
mages/safety/game.html
http://mediasmarts.ca/sites/mediasmarts/files/gam
es/cyber-security-quiz/index_en.html
Games and
resources retrieved
from abcya.com,
att.com, and media
smart.

19. REFERENCES
ALA, (2016) retrieved from:
http://connect.ala.org/files/94226/what%20is%20digilit%20%282%29.pdf
ABCYA (2016) Retrieved from: http://www.abcya.com/cyber_five_internet_safety.htm
ATT, (2016). Common Safety. Retrieved from:
https://www.att.com/Common/images/safety/game.html
Casey, B. (2016) Retrieved from: https://awsa.memberclicks.net/update-article--why-digital-
citizenship-is-digital-pbis--and-why-it-really-matters
Cornell University Digital Literacy Resource, Retrieved from:
https://digitalliteracy.cornell.edu/
Lewis, R. retrieved from: http://library.lsco.edu/help/web-page-rubric.pdf
Media Smart (2016. Retrieve from:
http://mediasmarts.ca/sites/mediasmarts/files/games/cyber-security-quiz/index_en.html
NetSmart (2017), retrieved from: http://www.netsmartz.org/Parents