Anne Bubnic's List: Digital Citizenship/Games and Activities

Currently four missions are available for students with the following themes: email/spam, chatroom safety/privacy, cyberbullying awareness, web dangers. Download and print the hint sheets for each series.

The content of MyFootprintSD is designed to make students cognizant of their digital footprint. In that way, it helps students be aware of what is safe and what is risky when using the web or other digital communication tools. In working through it, students will grow aware of how far these kinds of tools spread into their lives and how large the effects of their use can be (for better or for worse).

Feeling up for a challenge? Then test your cyber smarts with one - or all - of 12 interactive quizzes on everything from spam and spyware to phishing and file-sharing.

In this virtual mall, kids can play games, design ads, chat with customers and store owners, and much more. You'll learn key consumer concepts, such as how advertising affects you, how you benefit when businesses compete, how (and why) to protect your information, and how to spot scams.

A school's Acceptable Use Policy, or AUP, is a list of technology regulations that require students to use technology responsibly and prevent abuse of school computers. Students are often required to sign this "user contract" in order to use school network computers but unfortunately many sign without reading or understanding the information. The Smart AUP assessment tool is a fun and effective way for students to demonstrate to teachers and administrators that they have read and understand the AUP. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen for two sample Acceptable Use policies for K-6 and Gr 7-12.

Kids create their own avatars and complete missions that educate them about cyberbullying, social media and mobile safety. Part of an Australian non-profit social initiative (Smart Online/SafeOnline) that uses kids to deliver campaigns, aimed at educating their peers about cyberbullying/cybersafety issues. Registration is required and even though this is designed for use in Australia, anyone can play. A nice feature is that as kids complete missions, they get an email summarizing what they have learned. This is the same agency that created the video, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/soso" >Pants Down</a>

Developed by AT&T to teach elementary school children about safety and security while surfing the Web. Answer Internet safety questions to help the superhero capture the Internet villain. Complete all the tasks and kids earn a certificate of award. There is also a printable version of the game.

Business Software Alliance (BSA) partnership site with an underlying theme of cyberethics and cybersafety. Includes cybersafety tips, teacher guides, cybersafety/ cyberethics lesson plans, free posters, an interactive quiz, and two online games. There's also a glossary about cybersafety and tips for parents.

Business Software Alliance flash animation site. Includes videos, games, and other information for kids on how to keep cybersafe.

The site contains cyber rules, chat rules and mobile rules for kids as well as links to safe sites. Australian schools can also register for access to the online game, Cybersmart Detectives, in which players learn about managing bullying behaviors both offline and online.

Internet safety program designed to help students recognize potential dangers associated with the internet, email, chat rooms and social networking sites. The program addresses and defines topics serious in nature such as seduction, child pornography, solicitation, exploitation, obscenity and online predators. Students participate in a scavenger hunt, take web-based quizzes and review specific web sites aimed at promoting online safety.

Flash animation games in a aquarium theme from NetSafe.org [New Zealand] that teach kids [Age 5-11] about online privacy and cybersafety. Includes downloadable lesson plans for teachers

Internet Safety Coalition with resources for parents and young kids, including FunZone games. Be sure to check out the flash tutorials on Social Networking Basics and their collection of PSAs.

Kids in the Know is an interactive safety education program for increasing the personal safety of children and reducing their risk of sexual exploitation. Download a free copy of their colorful 16-page comic book [Zoe & Molly Online] for 4th grade students to address risks associated with children sharing personal information and sending pictures online. There is also a pre- and post-test.

Internet Safety stories, games, videos and tools for kids and parents from McGruff and the National Crime Prevention Council. Download their poster, Internet Rules of the Road.

The Media Awareness Network has created six educational games and interactive student modules (complete with extensive Teacher’s Guides) to help kids to develop these skills.

Launched in April, the award-winning NetBasics site from New Zealand is composed of 10 highly entertaining flash animations following the travails of the Jones family as they negotiate their way around the Internet. The series includes a collection of good and bad characters in fictional adventures that engage users while they deliver a serious message about the security threats we face every day online.