The ultimate goal is raising children who can effectively manage their own online reputation as they become adults.
Age-Appropriate Skill Development
Ages 11-13: Foundation Skills
- Understanding digital permanence and consequences
- Basic privacy setting management
- Appropriate vs. inappropriate content recognition
- Basic online communication etiquette
- Understanding of cyberbullying and how to respond
Ages 14-16: Intermediate Skills
- Regular self-monitoring of online presence
- Understanding of how online reputation affects opportunities
- Crisis communication and damage control basics
- Positive content creation strategies
- Understanding of legal and ethical online boundaries
Ages 17-18: Advanced Skills
- Comprehensive online reputation auditing
- Professional online presence development
- Advanced privacy and security management
- Crisis management and recovery strategies
- Integration of online and offline reputation management
Tools and Resources for Ongoing Education
Family Resources:
1.
Common Sense Media: Age-appropriate digital citizenship curricula and parent resources
2.
ConnectSafely: Family guides for social media platforms and digital safety
3.
NetSmartz: Internet safety education resources for families
4.
Google's Be Internet Awesome: Comprehensive digital citizenship program
5.
Facebook/Meta's Digital Citizenship Portal: Platform-specific safety and education resources
Educational Programs:
- School-based digital citizenship curricula
- Community organization digital safety programs
- Library and community center technology education
- Summer camps focused on technology and digital creation
- Peer education and mentoring programs
Professional Resources:
When problems exceed family capacity to handle:
- Family therapists specializing in technology issues
- Educational consultants with digital reputation expertise
- Legal consultation for serious reputation damage
- Professional reputation management services adapted for minors