Learning tools for parents and teachers to help kids and teens use the Internet and social media responsibly.

You wouldn’t dream of letting your son or daughter drive without a license. Not only is it required by law, but the process of obtaining a driver’s license assures that young people learn the rules of the road, proper driving techniques and smart decision making behind the wheel.

Yet every day, parents give their kids access to the Internet and social media without making sure they know how to use it responsibly, in spite of potential dangers ranging from exposure to age-inappropriate materials to the very real risk that strangers and even predators can find and contact your kids online.

A recent study at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia  found that almost 75 percent of teenagers had received unwanted or unpleasant contact from strangers via their social networking profile. This is a common theme across research, with children and their parents being most concerned about unwanted contact and content.

Learning Tools for Digital Literacy

On social networking platforms, the assumption of anonymity and/or impermanence can be particularly dangerous.

On social networking platforms, the assumption of anonymity and/or impermanence can be particularly dangerous. While young people are usually more confident users of technology, they sometimes don’t think of consequences in the context of a larger world beyond their social circle.

All of this highlights the importance of both digital literacy learning tools and parent engagement.

Supported by Google, the Alannah and Madeline Foundation has developed a fun and engaging “Digital License” that provides a comprehensive set of eight online modules designed to challenge young people on their online safety knowledge. It is also the perfect tool to help parents and teachers learn themselves and become better able to broach many difficult topics with children. It is like the “Drink Me” potion in Alice in Wonderland, enabling parents and careers to get a glimpse of the online world of pre-teens and teens.

We are proud of this world-leading innovation, and over 120,000 students have already signed up for their Digital License.

The Top 8 Cybersafety Concerns

One in four teenagers suffered hate incidents online in 2015.

The eight modules in the Digital License, which includes learning tools, quiz questions, and videos, are:

1. Digital Devices
2. Protecting Privacy
3. Searching & Researching
4. Creating & Sharing
5. Social Networking & Gaming
6. Communicating Safely Online
7. Friends & Strangers
8. Managing Money & Online Credits

As you can see, the eight modules cover a wide range of topics. Through extensive consultation with children, parents, cybersafety experts and teachers, these were consistently the main areas of concern. Many recent international studies have shown similar online risks and gaps in young people’s digital literacy; for example:

• One in five 12-15 year-olds believes that if a search engine lists information, it must be true
• Only one third of young people ages 12-15 knew which search results on Google were advertisements
• One in four teenagers suffered hate incidents online in 2015

Sources: Ofcom, 2015 and UK Safer Internet CentresWe’ve had great feedback from students and their teachers and parents already, who cite its comprehensiveness, fun factor and the way it encourages family conversations.Visit Digital License for more information. Watch how it works! Try the free 10-question sample quiz to see how much you and your kids really know about the online world!

5 Digital Safety Tips for Parents and Teachers

Make conscious decisions about why and how you use social media.

Finally, here are five parenting/teaching tips for helping children more safely navigate the Age of Connectivity. These can be used as great conversation starters for parents and their children. All of these messages are drawn from the various modules in the Digital License:

1. Age restrictions on social media sites vary—know what they are and why they are there
2. Know what social media sites get in return for a free service—e.g. private information, advertising, your likes and dislikes (user profiling)
3. Make conscious decisions about why and how you use social media
4. Avoid the “over-share” (ask yourself: why am I really sharing this? And where will it end up?)
5. Keep passwords private – regardless of friendships

As students get older, they become more social and curious to find out about the wider world; but it comes with risks. The online world is certainly no exception.