MindSwitch Mondays Issue #8: Empowering Kids, Possible Cyber Risks, and A LEGO Program.
Kids who learn how to transfer skills from the real world to the Digital World will have an advantage.
Hello Friends,
Did you know that about 60% of kids ages 8 to 12 are exposed to one or more forms of cyber risks, including inappropriate content and cyberbullying?
“Wait, What!”
Yes, that was my reaction!
Just had to share that with you before I share all my findings. “Thinking about thinking” and “learning about learning” has got us to reimagine education and how it should look like. But, as we all know and probably have experienced first hand, the COVID pandemic has influenced how education is delivered.
Parents went from limiting screen time to allowing their kids to binge on screen time.
Kids who are born from 2010 until the present are part of Generation Alpha. American kids of this generation are spending up to 6 hours a day in front of a screen.
There is a 500% increase in the time spent online than before lockdown!
I feel this year has been a “survival” year.
Schools had to reinvent their learning strategies, new online programs were created, and both are here to stay.
Discoveries 🔎
Have you heard of the DQ Institute? Dr.Yuhyun Park founded DQ Global Standards for Digital Skills now in 80 countries around the globe. They certify Digital Skills Programs to have the quality of standards that protect kids from Cyber Risks. The standards set by DQ Institute on Digital Intelligence are Digital Identity, Digital Use, Digital Safety, Digital Security, Digital Rights, Digital Literacy, Digital Emotional Intelligence, Digital Communication.
Kids have to learn to be global citizens and Digital Global Citizens. I will talk about this bridge in the future!
LEGO lovers, you will like this! LEGO partnered with DQ Institute to teach kids crucial digital empathy skills. We need programs like this more than ever. Check it out here!
MindSwitch💡
So how do we equip our kids with the tools needed to navigate safely online?
Actionable Steps to flip the Switch. 🏃🏻
Start by learning about the possible dangers that exist; cyberbullying, Cyberharrasement, and inappropriate content just to name a few.
Teach kids to keep personal information private. Again, you would have to do this as well with your use of social media. Set an example for your kids!
Encourage your kids to talk to you if they feel they encounter a problem.
Even though I believe in setting parental controls, especially for your kids, it’s important you talk to your kids about safety and empower them to make decisions accordingly.
I am taking a deep dive into the topic of Cyber Security and best practices to empower kids to navigate safely online. You will learn more about my discoveries in future Newsletters!
Thanks for reading! I really appreciate you being here, you are my motivation to keep searching for MindSwitches that will help us learn, improve, and adapt to move forward in life.
If there is anything I can do for you after reading this newsletter, please hit the reply button and write back! I respond to every email I get!
Cheers! 🤸🏻♂️
Ale
p.s. Hit the FORWARD button and email this to a friend who needs to read this!