In 2019 our middle school students will be receiving a weekly lesson in one of their classes on Cyber Civics “digital citizenship”. This series of lessons will teach them how to apply their emerging ethical thinking skills to a digital world.

Below are some suggested at-home activities that will support what the middle school students are learning in school.

ETHICAL THINKING

Just because many young people seem tech-savvy, doesn’t necessarily mean their brains are ready to make wise choices online. According to developmental psychologists, it takes children about twelve years to fully develop the cognitive structures that enable them to engage in ethical thinking. Before then it’s difficult, if not impossible, for youth to fully grasp the consequences of their online behavior. That’s why we engage students in activities that help them practice ethical thinking.

* For free information and resources on digital media topics and concerns, please visit this site for parents and teachers: www.cyberwise.org.
* For the Cyberwise newsletter full of info that will help you be an A+ digital parent, sign up here.
* Check out “Raising Humans in a Digital World: Helping Kids Build a Healthy Relationships with Technology” (HarperCollins Leadership). It tells the story of Cyber Civics.