Category: Internet Safety

In today’s technology-driven society, digital literacy is an essential ability. Digital literacy refers to a new form of becoming literate that does not rely on books and printed materials but instead on digital materials.

Digital literacy “literally” means a new way of being literate – not with books and printed materials, but now with digital materials. 

UBC, on digital literacy

Digital literacy should be understood as the development of the basic skills or abilities to use computers confidently, safely, and effectively, including the ability to use office software such as word processors, email, and presentation software, the ability to create and edit images, audio, and video, and the ability to use a web browser and internet search engines (2). As an analogy to being able to read and write, these are the skills that secondary school instructors should be able to presume their students have. According to the Government of British Columbia’s Digital Literacy Framework, six characteristics make up digital literacy (3 & 4).

1. Research ad Information Literacy
   • Learners are expected to apply digital tools in order to gather, evaluate and utilise information.
2. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving and Decision Making
   • Learners are expected to use critical thinking skills in order to plan and complete research, solve problems, manage projects and make informed decisions using the appropriate digital tools and resources.
3. Creativity and Innovation
   • Learners are expected to demonstrate creativity in their thinking, construct knowledge and develop innovative products and processes through the use of technology.
4. Digital Citizanship
   • Learners are expected to understand cultural, human and societal issues related to technology and practice behaviours that are legal and ethical.
5. Communication and Collaboration
   • Learners are expected to utilise digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively to support their individual learning and contribute to others learning.
6. Technology Operations and Concepts
   • Learners are expected to demonstrate an understanding of technological concepts, operations and systems

Why does this matter to me as a Teacher and Learner?

Digital literacy is very important for teachers and learners alike as it prepares them with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the world, which is becoming increasingly digital. It prepares students for their continued education and/or their future careers, for “Children’s schooling social welfare, and future job opportunities may depend on how well they understand the digital world” (5). Digital literacy allows one to access, evaluate and utilise the vast online resources; while enhancing communication, helping educated citizens to connect, collaborate and engage.

Sources:

1. “Digital Literacy | UBC Scarfe Digital Sandbox,” n.d. https://scarfedigitalsandbox.teach.educ.ubc.ca/digital-literacy/.
2. Law, Nancy, David Woo, Jimmy de la Torre, and Gary Wong. “A Global Framework of Reference on Digital Literacy Skills for Indicator 4.4.2.” UNESCO Digital Library, 2018. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000265403.locale=en.
3. “Digital Literacy – Province of British Columbia,” March 15, 2022. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/k-12/teach/resources-for-teachers/digital-literacy.
4. Government of British Columbia. “BC’s Digital Literacy Framework.” Accessed October 19, 2023. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/education/kindergarten-to-grade-12/teach/teaching-tools/digital-literacy-framework.pdf.
5. UNICEF Office of Global Insight & Policy. “Digital Literacy for Children — 10 Things to Know,” n.d. https://www.unicef.org/globalinsight/documents/digital-literacy-children-10-things-know#:~:text=Digital%20literacy%20goes%20beyond%20technical,and%20learning%20through%20digital%20technologies.
6. Amanda Brace. “My Digital Literacy Adventure.” YouTube, February 23, 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCo2z3TJ3Ws.

What is a digital footprint?

A digital footprint is made up of the trail of your online data that you create when using the internet (1). This trail is built up of your emails, your recent searches, your online purchases, and all information you submit and/or download from the internet (ibid). According to the Government of Canada, there are two distinct categories of a digital footprint: Active and Passive. An ‘Active’ footprint is made up of data that is left from intentional actions such as form filling, social media posts and comments and whenever you agree to allow browser cookies (we really should read through the cookie guidelines before accepting, but who really ever does that?) (ibid). Passive footprints are those actions which we have committed online unintentionally and unknowingly- such as the logging of our activities, tracking our location or installing cookies on our devices without notifying us. The saving of your search history on your device, while it is a handy feature, is a prime example of your passive digital footprint, where your computer is actively tracking your searches for your ‘personal ease’ if you wish to go back to them in the future.

What are the risks?

Despite being somewhat helpful to us, an unmanaged digital footprint can pose significant risks to us in a manner of ways. Your online activity can be monitored by current and potential employers, hackers and your educational institutions. Searches of inappropriate and or controversial content can have significant effects on an individual’s professional, academic and social reputation (2). Other risks include the risk of identity theft, cyberbullying, phishing, tailgating, and other forms of online harassment and assaults (ibid). Most importantly your digital footprint can compromise your personal privacy as your information may be collected and sold to third parties and or used for targeted adverts without the user’s consent (ibid).

Phishing  attacks or website spoofing are common techniques. By clicking on a link, downloading an attachment, or sharing sensitive information, you are making your digital footprint more accessible to threat actors.

Government of Canada on DIGITAL FOOTPRINT 2022

Why does this matter to me as a Teacher and Learner?

Cybersecurity is essential in any situation, but it is especially important in education, for education is the industry which is most at risk of cyberattacks. Cyberattacks jeopardize not only the safety and security of instructors and school administrators but also the privacy of pupils, especially minors in K-12 schools (3). As a Learner cybersecurity is important because it is a safeguard to all data protecting me against theft and loss. Being cyber-aware will protect me as a teacher and as a student from sites, sources and information that may be damaging to both my professional and personal life.

Due to a lack of self-control and overall understanding among internet users, incidences of online fraud, cyberbullying, racial abuse, gambling, and pornography have surged in recent years (4). As a result, there is a need to increase cybersecurity knowledge and training in schools to safeguard teachers and our pupils from cyberbullying, online fraud, prejudice and misinformation.

How should we go about Protecting our Privacy?

1. Be careful with your Social Media platforms: check your privacy settings, monitor your friends/followers lists, and be careful with what you like and comment on – everything you say and do can be followed by others!
2. Set up your Ad Preferences to your preferences!
3. Purchasing/downloading a well-reviewed and recommended Ad Blocker and Anti Virus program is always something to consider
4. Be Careful with what you Stream!- If you are ‘illegally’ pirating and/or streaming media such as films and television you are putting yourself at risk of viruses amongst other risks. Be careful of what sites you are using, and if you can try not to illegally stream! (Ad Blockers are highly recommended if you do decide to risk it)
5. Monitor what you are tagged in, on some apps you can set up tags to be approved only- limiting what others see as your tags.
6. Schools and Companies can block websites which they think are risky to them- if a website is blocked there’s probably a good reason for it
7. Disable Cookies if possible- Even if you aren’t actively sharing information on apps and websites, your data can still be tracked back to your device, IP address, and network.
8. Read the Privacy Policies and Terms of Use before downloading, or entering a web domain or application – make sure you are clear on what data they are collecting and the ways in which it can be used.
9. Take a Cyber Security training course! – Companies often will take the time to train their staff on cyber security, but all people should have this knowledge!

Things to consider:

• Just because you’ve deleted a post doesn’t mean it’s truly gone! You don’t know who took pictures of your post or where else your post was shared!
• Don’t research/purchase/post/or message inappropriate or controversial topics on computers/phones/tablets that are supplied to you by your workplace, or on the VPN of your workplace! – what you may think is private property and ok for you to search/send could come back to haunt you!
• Installing an Anti-virus software and firewall to your devices
• Make all accounts private and only permit access to those you know well or those with a need-to-know level of security
• As a Teacher, your media accounts should not be open to your students unless pre-approved by your school and carefully monitored and designed!

Sources:

(1) Government of Canada, Canadian Centre For Cyber Security. “Digital Footprint (ITSAP.00.133) – Canadian Centre for Cyber Security.” Canadian Centre for Cyber Security, January 13, 2022. https://www.cyber.gc.ca/en/guidance/digital-footprint-itsap00133.

(2) Athanasiou, Christina. “Is Your Digital Footprint Dangerous? How to Protect Yourself.” GreekReporter.com, July 27, 2023. https://greekreporter.com/2023/07/27/digital-footprint-how-protect-yourself/#:~:text=The%20Dangers%20of%20a%20Digital%20Footprint&text=Online%20activity%20can%20be%20monitored,harassment%20(source%3A%20NCBI).

(3) U.S. Department of Education. “Cybersecurity Best Practices for Schools and Districts.” YouTube, October 27, 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dy9X2ywj44o.

(4) Amankwa, Eric. “Relevance of Cybersecurity Education at Pedagogy Levels in Schools.” Journal of information security. Scientific Research Publishing, January 1, 2021. https://doi.org/10.4236/jis.2021.124013.