Harold Reaves

The concept of digital citizenship is more important now than ever. While the average age for owning a smartphone is around age 10, most children have their own device around age 4.* Between 1-to-1 programs, growing K12 BYOD programs or those devices sneaking into school in pockets and backpacks, school districts must consider the safety and privacy of their students.

Digital citizenship is the concept of creating safe and responsible technology use in every way, from information literacy and cyberbullying to important topics on Internet safety, privacy & security. Although many people talk about privacy and security from the point of passwords and information sharing, device safety is about so much more.

How do we support device safety in schools?

1.1. Set up a strong Security Policy for all devices, including BYOD, ensuring that devices meet minimum security standards before connecting to school networks

2.2. For 1:1 programs, create app whitelists and blacklists to ensure students cannot install or make use of applications that may not be vetted to safeguard student data privacy in accordance with CIPA and other privacy regulations

3.3. Ensure you have a way to manage all the devices you own – and to detect all unknown devices that may be trying to connect to your network. Management includes the ability to push updates or apps, to set up and maintain basic security precautions (such as encryption and anti-malware), and track missing or stolen devices

4.4. For BYOD programs, create an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) that establishes and communicates when devices can be used and guidelines around application use (particularly for social media and messaging)

5.5. Teach basic safety awareness such as keeping devices out of plain sight (especially when walking to and from school), never leaving devices (or backpacks) unattended on a field or in a cafe or store, and what kinds of software can assist in minimizing cyber attacks, theft and e-safety issues

6.6. Provide ongoing training to teachers, students and families about data privacy, device security, and broader digital citizenship initiatives

I’ve been privileged to spend the last few years working directly with school districts and law enforcement to develop effective device safety and digital citizenship programs and have spoken on these topics at the National Bullying Conference and National School Safety Conference.

If your school district is looking to implement any of the above school device safety tips or you are looking for a liaison to come in and speak with the community on these topics, I’d be happy to connect.

* Influence Central, ‘Kids & Tech: The Evolution of Today’s Digital Natives,’ 2016; Pediatrics, ‘Exposure and Use of Mobile Media Devices by Young Children,’ Nov 2015