A recent article from the Observer talked about the availability of various services that “manage the internet footprint that people and businesses leave online”. The article goes on to say these “Reputation Managers” can also send an alert whenever a reference is posted about your child online. For the two reasons I talked about in my last blog, children and the internet are of particular interest to me. As part of my research in the area of social entrepreneurship I came across a social venture called Hectors World www.hectorsworld.com. The social mission of this venture is to educate all children about digital citizenship. Their particular focus is “digital tots” – children aged 2 to 9 years of age. To do this they have developed a free website called Silicon Deep. Here Hector (a dolphin) and his friends (other animated sea creatures) engage with each other to educate children about personal information online, cyber bullying, computer security, digital and media literacy etc.
The Episode Theatre is well worth a visit (even if you are over 9 years of age!) to see both the animated episodes and music videos that have been created. The storyline and animations educate without patronizing or talking down to children – children are active learners engaging with the characters.
Recently a colleague and I have been exploring Hector’s World using a complexity lens. In particular we have examined the shift that has occurred as the emphasis within the venture has moved from online safety to digital citizenship – i.e. the emergence of a new attractor. The previous attractor of internet safety, while critically important and the reason that Hector’s World started, is simply not enough in the digital environment children are now engaged in. Again from a complexity lends, Silicon Deep is a novel, emerging network structure that metaphorically embodies Digital Citizenship. Of course, many adults aren’t too clear about Digital Citizenship either .. maybe a Silicon Deep for adults might reduce the need for “reputation managers”??
Comments (2)
Hi Christine
For anyone who is interested/concerned, Hector's World and other resources are available on the UK CEOP (Child Exploitation Online Protection) website www.thinkuknow.co.uk
Another animated format for younger children is ‘Lee and Kim’s Adventures’ and from direct experience of seeing this delivered with children I think this is better than Hector's World; it tackles the very difficult concept of people not being who they say they are online and how to protect you personal information etc
The thinkuknow website offers a one stop shop for all online safety issues and is split into 3 areas/sections: for parents/ carers; children/young people; and, practitioners who work with children, young people and their families.
The young people’s section has resources for: -
5-7 – Hector’s World and Lee and Kim’s Adventures
8-11 – Cyber Café
11-16 – Think U Know
The parents section is particularly helpful and also has a ‘everything you wanted to know about … but were afraid to ask.
Once one is registered, the practitioners section gives access to all resources for free.
Best Wishes
David
Posted by David Hoyle | August 10, 2010 10:49 AM
Posted on August 10, 2010 10:49
Thanks David - looks like a good resource with a strong focus on cybersafety.
Chris
Posted by Chris Woods | August 11, 2010 7:38 AM
Posted on August 11, 2010 07:38