Digital Citizenship – Let’s Start the Conversation

Kids are online all the time, but are they using it safely and making smart decisions? Nearly 80% of children between the ages of 0 and 5 use the Internet on at least a weekly basis in the United States. Steering children down a safe path can be challenging, particularly if you are of a “certain age.” What are us digital non-natives to do?

Plenty.

Online safety experts say communicating with your child is one of the most important things you can do. Learn where your child goes online and talk to him about the risks associated with posting personal information. Set ground rules and time limits. There are simple, easy-to-follow tips and guidelines for you at these sites:

• Common Sense Media
• National Cyber Security Alliance
• iKeepSafe
• Family Online Safety Institute

For those of you with middle-schoolers, you also can help your child navigate the web with Digital Compass, a new, free app that AT&T has helped make possible through our support of Common Sense Media. It’s a tool designed to help start the conversation about digital citizenship between parents and their (almost) teenagers and help kids think about the real-world impact of their online choices. Go to DigitalCompass.org to get the app from Google Play or the App Store.

Stay tuned for an exciting announcement about what else we’re doing to help people use the web safely and securely. In the meantime, remember that safe and secure use also includes your behavior while driving. Please don’t type, text or selfie while you’re behind the wheel. #ItCanWait