Participate: 4.1.2 Digital Safety and Security Quest

• What is the most important step we can take in terms of ensuring our digital safety?

Education and being careful are the central steps that we can take to ensure digital safety.  With this said as educators we need to

1.  Act professionally and only use professional technology when at work or interacting with students. 

2.  Remember that when working online, every time that we are engaged in "work" on any device we are creating a permanent digital footprint of our self.   

3.  Related to point 2, remember that the definition of work space has now changed because "work" is not just a physical place, but can be anywhere in cyber space.  Any time that we can be seen or interact with students we need to be most professional and aware. 

4.  Separate work and personal internet use by drawing sharp boundaries between the two.  For example, don't mix internet addresses, allow students access to Facebook, keep purchases professional, etc. 

5.  Be aware that technology is available to all students and that anything that you do online can be seen by all.  In this way it can also be used positively, but also at the whim of any individual for sometimes not so positive motives.

6.  On a practical level, be sure to log off frequently, change passwords, and keep a clear line between work and personal internet use.  

  

• What strategies can we take to help our students consistently keep digital safety in the forefront of their minds?Knowledge and education with the suggested web pages presented in this module can also be beneficial and tangible means of ensuring online safety.  

OnGuardOnline: a web cite dedicated to security and backing up digital data at least once a week;
Kaspersky: another security cite that includes definitions of various cyber threats such as malware, adware, viruses, etc. 
A Thin Line: Taking a Stand Against Digital Abuse: an important web page that shows the difference between digital use and digital abuse; includes such topics sexting, digital rights, and the facts about this type of behavior. 
Identity Theft Resource Center: this web cite outlines the threats and realities of digital identity theft.

1. We can start with reminding both students and our colleagues that every time we go online or use technology that we are creating a digital footprint that is permanent.  Therefore, what we do online has consequences, and creates a lasting record of who we are online.   One research suggests the reality of this situation: 78% of employers use search engines to screen potential employees, and 63% of employers use social media to learn about applications. 

2. We can then continue with both external and more important internal monitoring of student in an online environment.  Students need to be their own advocates and aware of their own digital behavior.  Frequently we need to remind students that their digital footprint is being created every time that they log on. 

3. Finally, we need to teach them that there is a difference between professional and personal technology use, and that a fine line should be created between the two.  There is a time for both, but that when using school related technology, the emphasis should be on school related items, and that they should therefore act professionally.  

Resource

White, C. (2011, November 2). Protecting Your Online Reputation: 4 Things You Need to Know. Mashable . Retrieved February 24, 2013, from http://mashable.com/2011/11/02/protecting-your-online-reputation/