JFYNetWorks and Revere High School Meet New Demands of Digital Citizenship for Digital Natives

BOSTON - May 26, 2015 - PRLog -- We call young people today “digital natives”. We believe they are naturally endowed with certain capabilities when it comes to working with digital device and the Internet.  But this assumption glosses over the actual  experience for so many in the infosphere.    The truth is, being savvy   consumers of online information is hard for people of all ages.  Young people must be taught how to gather, analyze, and engage critically with the information they access via technology.

It is a new role of schools to help them cultivate the skills and perspectives they need to participate in the infosphere safely and responsibly, as well as boldly and with a sense of hope and adventure.

In education we often refer to this new set of skills and perspectives necessary for the digital age as   “digital citizenship.”  To educate responsible “digital citizens” we need to teach students to vet and analyze information found on the Internet; to treat with respect other members of the online communities; and to use digital tools to actively engage with 21st century civic institutions.

It simply isn’t accurate   to assume that because young people grow up with technology they know how to use it wisely or safely.  It’s our job as educators – and parents-- to empower students to be active and responsible participants in the infosphere.  We have to give them the tools and the skill, necessary to generate knowledge and opportunity for themselves and their communities, and to achieve their own goals.

Michelle Ciccone of JFYNetWorks expands on the implications of digital citizenship and discusses the way JFYNetWorks and Revere High School are meeting the new demands.  Learn more at https://jfynet.org/.