As children become more independent and more responsible for their own safety, they learn the skills for assessing risk, responding to dangerous situations online, and protecting themselves from a variety of social dangers including bullying, abuse, violence, and other risks associated with technology. Children continue to learn about healthy relationships including how to behave inclusively, responsibly, and respectfully with others online. Children also learn about the factors that contribute to their physical and mental health and the importance of maintaining a healthy balance between engaging in technology and participating in daily activities to enhance their wellness (Ontario Curriculum Grades 1–8, 2019, p. 155–156).
In Grade 6, children learn to:
- interact positively with others by being inclusive, respectful and accepting when online and how it benefits everyone;
- make connections between a person's thoughts, emotions and actions and how positive and negative thinking can impact their mental health;
- use relationship and coping skills to positively interact with others and avoid or manage conflict when online;
- to take responsibility for myself and others and can apply problem solving skills to avoid risks and respond to dangerous situations that might occur when online; and
- I can explain how I can interact positively with others by being inclusive, respectful, and accepting when online and how it benefits everyone.
Together (caregiver and child), watch the video How To Be A Good Digital Citizen, and then use the Conversation Starter Questions and Themes to Reinforce the Learning from the discussion guide to facilitate a conversation. The Conversation Starter Questions and Themes to Reinforce the Learning can also be used to start a conversation without watching the video.
Video
Description: One of the characters in this video opens their social media feed to discover that a friend has posted a photo of them and another friend on their social media feed without their permission. The image contains identifying information such as their school and team name. The character must confront their friend about this breach in privacy and decide what to do to resolve the conflict.
Discussion Guide
The discussion guide includes Conversation Starter Questions and Themes to Reinforce the Learning that may be used alone or in combination to promote dialogue about Internet safety with your family. Using these tools to talk to your child will help them:
- understand how to engage respectfully and responsibly with others while staying safe when online;
- recognize potentially unsafe situations; and
- make informed decisions when dealing with situations when they do not feel safe.
Grade 6 Discussion Guide: How To Be A Good Digital Citizen (pdf)
References
Excerpted from The Ontario Curriculum Grades 1–8, Health and Physical Education, 2019, p. 155–156
