Building A Wall Of Digital Safety: A Passport For Learning Without Borders

Abstract

The shift in the development of the web environment from a static information repository to an interconnected network of systems, information, and users as consumers and producers has shifted the educative focus from accessing and engaging with authoritative information to a more holistic focus on both the intellectual and social wellbeing of young people as they participate and live in this digital environment. This paper examines one aspect of this digital wellbeing – that of digital safety. Given international concerns about children online, this research study sought to gather data from students themselves in relation to their conceptions and understanding of online safety, what it means to them to be safe in an online world, and the actions/strategies they use to ensure they are safe online. Some preliminary findings are presented and discussed.