Cybersafety resources for junior primary level

Many primary aged children have enthusiastically and skillfully incorporated ICT into their day-to-day lives in a manner, and at a rate, far in advance of most adults. Cyber-literacy, however, is not synonymous with cybersafety. Children need to be taught critical thinking skills in order to perceive and avoid the risks inherent with ICT use, even if, traditionally, they may not be considered developmentally ready for such high-level thought processes. The acquisition of such skills is central to keeping primary-aged children safe as well as enhancing their online experience.

Hector's World™ (www.hectorsworld.com) is a downloadable animated series exploring cybersafety for early childhood and primary school age children.  The first set of lesson plans, based on the pilot episode of Hector's World™, focuses on online privacy and is currently available from the NetSafe website. More episodes and lesson plans will be released throughout 2007 and 2008, so be sure to check the NetSafe and Hector’s World™ websites regularly for updates.

The Police Youth Education Service (YES), in partnership with NetSafe, is available to assist in the delivery of cybersafety education to students at all levels. Their anti-violence programmes Keeping Ourselves Safe and Kia Kaha incorporate cybersafety education, focusing on strategies to minimise bullying and personal violence. Local Police Education Officers are contactable through neighbourhood police stations, or through the NZ Police website at www.police.govt.nz.

Additional cybersafety lesson plans for all subject areas and year levels will also routinely be released on the NetSafe website (www.netsafe.org.nz).