eSafety education: justifying teaching eSafety to 9 - 10 year olds
In this article, we explore the importance of teaching eSafety to 9-10-year-olds. Discover practical strategies and resources to equip them with digital resilience and responsible online behaviour.
Read Time: 5 minutes
As preservice teachers, a core aspect of our role involves crafting researched unit and lesson plans, accompanied by well-founded justifications for the selection of specific subjects tailored to distinct age groups. I personally encountered this task when working on the Health and Physical Education (HPE) curriculum.
In Australia, the HPE curriculum amalgamates health-related topics with physical education, encompassing crucial areas such as:
- alcohol and other drugs,
- food and nutrition,
- mental health and wellbeing,
- relationships and sexuality,
- safety,
- child rights,
- domestic and family violence, and, significantly,
- child safety.
Child safety encompasses both physical and online safety. In this article, we will delve into the imperative considerations that underpin the decision to teach eSafety to 9 – 10 year-olds, a crucial aspect of modern education.
Why teach eSafety to 9 - 10 year olds?
Recent figures from the Australian Institute of Family Studies indicate that a substantial proportion of 9 to 10-year-olds allocate a significant portion of their weekly time to online activities. The ubiquity of digital technology in today’s world has been amplified by the widespread adoption of remote learning during the pandemic, emphasising technology as a tool to support modern, student-centered education.
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Consequently, this surge has raised concerns among parents, educators, and researchers alike regarding the associated risks for young individuals, such as the inadvertent sharing of personal information and the growing threat of cyberbullying.
In preparing our students for the vast opportunities and potential pitfalls of the internet, it is imperative to equip them with strategies to protect themselves online and empower them to report harmful behaviours. Furthermore, the Queensland Department of Education actively advocates for students to acquire the skills to safely navigate the digital realm.
Drawing insights from Jean Piaget’s theory of child development, the selection of year 4 as the age group for covering online safety modules is substantiated. Developmentally, children in this age bracket start to grasp social constructs and rules, rendering them more capable of understanding the importance of responsible online behavior. At this juncture, students exhibit a heightened ability to collaborate within a group setting, fostering a shared and in-depth comprehension of subject matter. Additionally, 9 to 10-year-olds demonstrate improved executive function control and a burgeoning understanding of logical processes, particularly when linked to everyday situations.
Specific health or well-being topic:
The Two ‘Cybers’: Cybersafety and Cyberbullying
Within this unit, students will be introduced to the concepts of online safety and the identification and appropriate response to cyberbullying.
The significance of this unit for year 4 students cannot be overstated. Wearable technologies, online learning, socialisation, and entertainment have become integral components of young people’s daily lives. As more schools implement Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) programs and integrate ICT into their classrooms, students are increasingly exposed to digital devices.
This aligns with the Australian Professional Teacher Standards 4.4 and 4.5, which mandate teachers to ensure student safety in these environments, thereby emphasising the need for eSafety education. Consequently, teachers play a pivotal role in ensuring students’ safety by educating them about the opportunities and risks of the online world.
It is crucial for students in this age group to understand how to engage safely and responsibly online, not only with their peers but with everyone. Moreover, several studies support the inclusion of cybersafety and cyberbullying prevention programs for primary school students.
However, these studies highlight a small effect size in current school-based programs and emphasise the importance of student agency in driving behavioural change. Hence, this unit focuses on nurturing students’ agency, empowering them to shape their knowledge and decisions through research-based activities.
eSafety education: unit length
“The Two ‘Cybers’” unit will span six weeks, comprising two 45-minute lessons per week. This duration allows for comprehensive coverage of the essential aspects of online safety and cyberbullying, ensuring that students grasp the material thoroughly.
Content significance
The Australian Curriculum versions 8.4 and 9.0 both incorporate a HPE focus area on Safety, emphasising the importance of teaching students “safe practices when using information and communication technologies [or digital tools] and online services“. To fulfill this requirement, the unit integrates elements from English and Digital Technologies. It also aligns with health literacy, particularly the functional dimension that involves researching and applying ideas.
The general capabilities of literacy, ICT, and critical and creative thinking add depth to the lessons. In terms of literacy, students develop discipline-specific vocabulary and comprehension through listening, reading, and viewing. Furthermore, they learn how to communicate and connect with their peers while honing their critical thinking skills, a necessity for the ever-evolving online landscape. ICT learning equips students to safely access online information while exploring the complexities of establishing and managing relationships in the digital 21st century.
Through critical inquiry, students enhance their critical and creative thinking skills by posing questions and seeking solutions. Additionally, students are reminded of sustainable classroom practices, ensuring that devices are switched off at the end of the day to conserve energy.
Explore my article on eSafety teaching strategies, integration into other subjects, and promoting diversity and inclusion here. To understand resource considerations and the impact of our teaching, dive into this article. For a tangible example, check out our unit plan here and a lesson plan here. You can also find an assessment exemplar here.
