Digital education in elementary school is a window of opportunity for prevention and community involvement. It is a time when students are open and interested, and adults are looking for tools to support modern learners who are digital natives.
The move from fifth grade into middle school is an especially critical period of transition when access to digital media increases while adult supervision decreases. Students are expected to produce more digital content for academic and social purposes but lack the tools they need to stand up to social cruelty and become responsible and ethical virtual citizens.
Developmentally, it is the time students are most concerned about peer acceptance and prone to peer pressure and risk taking. In the digital age much of this occurs in their online communities.
Our non-profit organization, My Digital TAT2, works directly with elementary students as well as with teachers and parents who are looking for strategies to mentor youth to make healthy and safe choices online.
We are always excited to share what we have learned by working with over 30,000 young people. When we enter the elementary classroom we are greeted by students excited to share what they love most about their online lives. Successful student dialog is rooted in social-emotional learning and incorporates relevant topics and concerns for each age of development. The students can’t wait to talk about the games they play, the videos they watch, and the influencers they follow.
At all grade levels, we encourage students to teach an adult what they learned. We have seen that when children feel empowered to “teach” adults, it reinforces what they have learned and encourages ongoing conversation with their caregivers.
In Third Grade, discussion topics can focus on being healthy, safe, and kind online. We discuss good digital manners, what is safe to share online, protecting their eyes and bodies from digital overuse, and the importance of getting help from trusted adults.
This age group is a critical time to engage in conversation with curiosity and openness, to listen first and encourage kids to share what they see and hear. We want children to come to us if they see things online that make them feel uncomfortable or concerned, and the best way to do this is to keep the doors to communication open.
In Fourth Grade, discussion topics can focus on the qualities that make a good friend on and offline, standing up for ourselves and others, and cultivating empathy. Share your own thoughts, values and experiences. Our children learn so much from us when we can talk about our own experiences and struggles with online communication.
- Is it True?
- Is it Helpful?
- Is it Inspiring?
- Is it Necessary?
- Is it Kind?
In Fifth Grade, discussion topics can focus on personal power and responsibility online. By this age, many are hearing about or using apps such as Instagram and TikTok. Most are using YouTube, some are creating content and are very interested in social media. Listening to what they see and hear online will encourage them to continue to share their experience with you. The most important thing you can do as they move from elementary to middle school is encourage trust and open communication.
With regards to online behavior, apps, and devices: we believe in not banning the tool, but in discussing the behavior that concerns us on digital devices. What is the root of the issue? Is it the language they are using? The behavior they are exhibiting? That they are having a hard time getting offline once they start a game? Reiterate your family values and why the behavior concerns you.
We believe in early intervention and in using a scaffolded approach to digital education before problems arise. Elementary school is the time to begin this conversation not just with students, but with educators, families, and all stakeholders in the lives of children, including health care workers. We have seen that teaching children about their personal power and responsibility and how to think critically about their digital responses and behavior will prepare them to use technology in kind, safe, and mindful ways. The earlier we begin this conversation, the better opportunity we have to build critical thinking skills that support digital resilience.
*common language around the 5th grade students with whom we work.
Gloria is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and co-founder of My Digital TAT2. She has been a program developer, school social work educator, practitioner and professional presenter with over 30 years of experience in multiple community settings. She was a lecturer at San Jose State University Graduate School of Social Work for twenty years. Gloria has been involved in the creation of comprehensive school based mental-wellness programs, bullying prevention programs, teacher in-service, and professional workshops.
Gloria is the co-author of “It Rained Warm Bread”, a book about her father’s Holocaust experience. It won the Parent’s Choice Magazine Gold Award and was a Kirkus Best Book of 2019. She is passionate about helping young people use the power of digital technology to stand up to social cruelty and for social good. Gloria is bi-cultural and the parent of three young men.
Your information will be subject to a different privacy policy that we recommend you review. FOSI has no control over the content of an external site.
.svg)
