From free VPNs to popular messaging platforms, many trusted tools may actually be jeopardizing your data. In this interview series by Safety Detectives, I invite cybersecurity experts to point out the most significant mistakes that millions of people still make. They also share their top tips to avoid these pitfalls.
Today, my guest is Diana Graber, M.A., a prominent digital literacy educator. She is the author of Raising Humans in a Digital World: Helping Kids Build a Healthy Relationship with Technology and the winner of the Media Literacy Teacher Award from the National Association for Media Literacy Education in 2017.
Diana gave me an overview of the two digital literacy programs she founded: Cyber Civics, an innovative digital literacy curriculum for grades 4-8, and Cyberwise, which provides resources for parents and educators focusing on online safety and digital literacy.
The Inspiration Behind Cyber Civics
In 2011, I completed a Master’s program in "Media Psychology and Social Change." At that time, my children’s school faced its first cyberbullying incident. Observing the principal's struggle to manage the situation highlighted the urgent need for children to learn how to use technology safely and wisely. That's when we began developing Cyber Civics.
Today, Cyber Civics is taught to students in grades 4 through 8 worldwide, boasting a 98% renewal rate among schools.
Key Topics in the Cyber Civics Program
Cyber Civics encompasses a wide range of topics in "digital literacy." It addresses crucial areas such as online reputation, privacy, cyberbullying, misinformation, hate speech, and online safety. The curriculum contains several comprehensive units dedicated to online privacy and safety.
How Cyber Civics Stands Out
Cyber Civics differentiates itself from other digital literacy programs in several ways. It meets students where they are developmentally, ensuring that topics make sense to their evolving minds. As a teacher-led program, it facilitates discussions and debates among peers. This method promotes understanding and helps students negotiate proper online behavior.
We believe this approach is the most effective way to deliver digital literacy lessons. Simply putting students in front of a screen does not yield the desired outcomes.
Additionally, Cyberwise serves as our parent-focused platform. It offers FREE resources and information for parents aiming to support their children’s digital lives.
Essential Digital Literacy Skills
What digital literacy skills should everyone learn today? Unfortunately, many essential skills are often overlooked.
Social-emotional and behavioral skills form the cornerstone of effective digital literacy. Our goal is to guide students in becoming responsible citizens online and offline.
Skills to Avoid Online Scams
Emotional Awareness: Recognize when feelings might cloud your judgment.
Self-Regulation: Cultivate impulse control to resist enticing offers.
Emotional Resilience: Develop the ability to resist manipulation.
Social Connections: Build strong relationships for support.
Critical Thinking: Challenge suspicious communications and evaluate trustworthiness in online interactions.
These skills empower individuals to recognize, resist, and report scams, leading to safer digital experiences.
Developing Healthy Social Media Habits
Social media is integral to modern life. Students in Cyber Civics learn to manage their digital personas effectively. They become aware of their online reputations and understand that behind every avatar is a real human with feelings.
Furthermore, they learn to strike a balance between online and offline activities. They also become conscious of the techniques employed by tech companies to capture their attention, allowing them to use social media positively.
Upcoming Projects
We are enthusiastic about our new curriculum for 4th and 5th graders called Digital On-Ramps. It focuses on basic Internet and online safety skills while exploring values that guide students online. This curriculum is being implemented in schools and is also accessible for homeschoolers.
Connect with Diana Graber
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cybercivics
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cyber.civics/
About the Author:
With over 13 years of experience in managing digital publications, Roberto has coordinated over 5000 interviews with prominent figures in cybersecurity, AI, cloud technology, and SaaS. He utilizes his communication skills and extensive network of cybersecurity leaders to provide valuable online privacy tips and insights into the ever-evolving tech landscape.