How can we be respectful and responsible online? | Year 3 Computing PDF Download

Learning to be Respectful with Friends and Family

• When was the last time you spent quality time with your friends? Was it during school, playing together during break time, or perhaps in the park after school? Maybe you gathered at a sports club or enjoyed watching TV at home?
• An essential aspect of being a good friend is treating each other with respect.
• Respecting others is vital for building strong relationships. It involves being considerate, kind, and understanding towards your friends and family members.
  • Taking Turns: It's important to share opportunities fairly and allow everyone a chance to participate.
  • Sharing with Others: Sharing not only toys or items but also sharing feelings, thoughts, and experiences is key in friendships.
  • Saying Please and Thank You: Simple gestures of politeness like saying "please" when making a request and "thank you" to express gratitude go a long way in showing respect.

Being respectful online

• When we engage online, it's crucial to extend the same courtesy and respect to our friends and family as we would in person.
• Here are some key points to consider:
  • Playing an online game together
  • Chatting on a messaging app
  • Joining an online classroom if physical attendance isn't possible
  • Talking to family members who are far away via a group video call
• Interacting online differs from face-to-face communication. Not being able to see or hear the other person may sometimes lead to lapses in respect. For example, when awaiting a response to a message, impatience can set in, potentially resulting in unintentionally disrespectful comments or the use of emojis to express frustration.
• It's important to remember that online interactions can lack the nuances of in-person communication, making it easier for misunderstandings to occur. Being mindful of this and making a conscious effort to maintain respectful communication is key to fostering positive online relationships.

How would you feel?

• Part of being respectful involves empathizing with others and considering how our actions might affect their feelings.
• Instead of getting upset if someone doesn't reply promptly, it's more respectful to express gratitude for their message. 
• For instance, saying, "It was great to get your message - thanks!" acknowledges their communication positively.

When disrespect turns into bullying

• At times, people behave so disrespectfully and unkindly that it crosses into bullying. Bullying involves someone repeatedly being unkind or disrespectful to another person with the intention of causing them upset, anger, or sadness.
• When bullying occurs through digital devices or online platforms, it's referred to as cyberbullying. If you suspect someone is engaging in cyberbullying, whether it's directed towards you or someone else you know, it's crucial to immediately inform a trusted adult and explain the situation.
• Being an online bully exemplifies unacceptable behavior that can have serious consequences.

What Does it Mean to Be Responsible?

Being responsible involves several key aspects:

• Making good choices and behaving sensibly
• Looking for ways to help others
• Keeping your promises
• Owning up and apologizing if you make a mistake
• Understanding rules and adhering to them

We learn about responsibility both at home and in school. It's crucial to ensure that everyone acts sensibly and follows the rules in these environments.

Being responsible online

It's crucial to be responsible when using the internet, and there are several ways to achieve this:

• Keep passwords and personal information private, and encourage friends to do the same.
• Offer help to those who may be struggling with online activities or issues.
• Learn and follow the rules of online games we participate in.
• Consider teaching younger siblings how to play games rather than competing against them, fostering a supportive and inclusive environment.

Being responsible can be hard

• Sometimes, it can be tempting to be irresponsible online. For instance, wanting to play a game that has an age rating higher than our age might seem appealing. However, age ratings are in place to protect us, as the game might contain content we're not ready to understand. The responsible choice would be to find a game with an appropriate age rating, ensuring a safer and more enjoyable experience.
• Another situation where irresponsibility might come into play is when we come across a picture we really like. There might be a temptation to share it with friends, claiming it as our own creation to appear clever. This act is called plagiarism and is akin to stealing. Being responsible means being truthful and refraining from copying others' work, whether it's words or images.
• To ensure we're consistently responsible online, it's essential to seek guidance from a trusted adult before engaging in activities or making decisions that could impact our safety or integrity.