- Wallingford-Swarthmore School District
- Acceptable Use, Student Data Privacy, Cyber Security, and Internet Safety
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WSSD believes that a robust educational program demands a high quality technological infrastructure and the purposeful integration of instructional tools and resources. Student privacy and maintaining a secure online learning environment are two guiding principles used by the Technology Department when evaluating digital platforms, tools, and supplemental materials. We rely on current federal policies that provide guidance to school districts on privacy, confidentiality, and security practices. For additional information related to the relevant laws and resources available to everyone, please see below.
Helpful Information
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WSSD Acceptable Use Policy
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Digital Citizenship
WSSD believes that digital citizenship is developed over the course of the entire K-12 continuum. From the explicit and direct instruction of skills to the integration and modeling of best practices, all faculty and staff have the potential to help students develop into a strong digital citizen. Since the needs of teachers, students, and situations varies, we draw from a variety of resources such as:
- Common Sense - This non-profit organization was created to help parents and educators in the area of digital and media literacy. Their media and education section includes research, reviews, and access to a wide variety of lesson plans and resources.
- NetsSmartzKids - This interactive website is an educational outreach program sponsored by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children®. With different resources that target Kids, Tweens, and Teens, the materials range from videos, to games, to more traditional lesson plan ideas.
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Internet Safety
While Cybersecurity Month is technically recognized in October each year, we live in a world that demands a daily focus on things we can do to be as safe as possible on the Internet. The following are some resources to help parents navigate this challenging task themselves and for their household.
- Privacy and Internet Safety - Common Sense Media
- Internet Safety Tips - National Children's Advocacy Center
- FBI Kids - The Federal Bureau of Investigation [Targets 3rd-8th Grade]
- Keeping Chilren Safe Online - The United States Department of Justice
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Resources for Parenting in the Digital Age
Ways to Create the Digital Home Environment You Want for Your Children
- Parents' Ultimate Guide to Parental Controls - Common Sense Media provides a comprehensive overview of different steps to consider and how to get started on utilizing the parent controls of many common tools and apps.
- So You Got a Parental Control...Now What? - Since using a parental control is only the start of the journey, this article by Christine Elgersma (Common Sense) coaches parents on how to establish goals for your home environment and work towards them.
- Family Media Agreement - Register with Common Sense in order to access their family media agreement. This type of document is useful to help you create the environment you believe is best for your children. It is also helpful because it can guide the conversation you have with your child or children.
- 10 Things Every Parent with a Connected Kid Needs to Know - Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, August 12, 2020
- Parenting in a Digital Age: What Experts are Saying - Diana Kraber, M.A., Psychology Today, April 9, 2019
Research & Resources
- Parenting Children in the Age of Screens - Pew Research Center
- Free Digital Resources: Online Safety for Kids and Families - NetSmartz
- Links to Presentations by Age Groups (K-2 through High School)
- Parent and Family Digital Learning Guide - Office of Educational Technology, Department of Education
- Parents' Ultimate Guide to Parental Controls - Common Sense Media provides a comprehensive overview of different steps to consider and how to get started on utilizing the parent controls of many common tools and apps.