Raising Digital Citizens With the Use of a Content Filter

It is yet unknown exactly what the careers of the 21st century will look like, but two things are certain. First, they will surely involve the use of technology, and secondly, soft skills will become increasingly important. So, whatever the future brings, the future workforce must be prepared for it. And how can content filter technology play a role in that?

Nowadays, we spend a fair share of our days online. And everything we do in that time leaves “digital footprints” – marks of our activity that are nearly impossible to delete. That is why we need to use the internet responsibly and ethically, and more importantly – we need to teach our children to do the same. We know technology will play a big and important role in their lives, so they have to use it safely and responsibly – toward themselves and all others also using the internet. The barrier separating the online and offline worlds is quickly vanishing, and learning about navigating one is also learning about navigating the other. 

Who Is a Digital Citizen?

A digital citizen is someone who uses technology safely, morally, and sensibly while defending their own privacy and the rights of others using the internet. They are thoughtful, compassionate, and capable of debating crucial moral issues at the crossroads of technology and mankind.

According to waterford.org, digital citizenship can be broadly defined as the ability to use technology and the internet in a responsible way. Students who possess the necessary abilities can interact with the online environment in a way that supports thriving online communities. All in all, the idea can refer to a multitude of ideas and behaviors and includes everything from knowing how to use a computer mouse to avoiding hate speech while communicating with others online.

Lifelong learning is becoming easier, more accessible, and unquestionably more essential due to technology’s relentless advancement and penetration into every aspect of our lives. 

The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) identifies five competencies of digital citizenship:

• Inclusive 
• Informed 
• Engaged 
• Balanced 
• Alert

And How Can a Content Filter Help Nourish That?

Again, in addition to having the technical skills and access to effectively traverse the digital world, students also need to be aware of the rules of engagement for healthy digital connections. And this can be helped with content filtering, which allows practicing the use of technology while being safely guided. Why shouldn’t we let students get the best out of their time spent online?

One of the vital elements of teaching digital citizenship is allowing students to access and use the web. The online environment, protected by a sophisticated content filter, such as Blocksi‘s, encourages students to gain media and information literacy and allows them to search for reliable sources.

Using such software can create an environment where digital citizenship thrives by automatically blocking dangerous content and highlighting troubling student searches or conversations. The available content can be handpicked based on the students’ age and the school curricula. Besides fostering digital etiquette, digital wellness can also be encouraged by the positive results of blocking cyberbullying. Additionally, content filtering can prevent students from participating in online activities that might endanger them – including viruses, spam, and phishing.

Content filtering ensures that students don’t stumble upon malicious or harmful content while doing research and using technology on their way to becoming digital citizens. Not only does it save students from harm, but it also produces a safer environment in the long term. If bullying is tackled on all fronts, sooner or later, there will be no remaining ground for bullies to flourish.

This teaches them safe and polite communication and benefits their mental health since they are not exposed to any harmful content. Besides that, a content filter allows students to learn how to independently search for information while not leaving them unprotected from all the threats the web conceals.

So, why would we deprive the students of all the benefits modern technologies have to offer when we can endow them with all the beauties of the modern world without any of its threats and other downfalls?

SOURCES

[1] How to Teach Your Students the 9 Elements of Digital Citizenship
[2] The 5 Competencies of Digital Citizenship