(4.4) Digital Citizenship and Safety — ICT

This area is the “moral compass” of the ICT module.

Especially now where students are becoming more exposed to the “wild” side of social media, your role is to guide them on how to behave, stay safe and protect their reputations online.

• COMBATTING CYBERBULLYING AND ONLINE PREDATORS
• COPYRIGHT, FAIR USE AND PLAGIARISM
• PROTECTING PERSONAL AND LEARNERS’ DATA
• NETIQUETTE AND DIGITAL FOOTPRINT AWARENESS

1. Combatting cyber-bullying and online predators

The internet can be a hidden playground for conflict and exploitation.

As a teacher, you’re the first line of defense.

Identify cyber-bullying

Look for the invisible signs like withdrawal, sudden drops in grades or anxiety around devices.

Teach students the “Screenshot and Report” method rather than retaliating.

Spotting ‘grooming’

Understand the predatory process (Targeting → Trust → Isolation).

Educate students that online friends who ask for secrets or private photos are dangerous.

The “Grandma Rule“

If you wouldn’t be comfortable showing it to your grandmother, then don’t post it.

2. Copyright, fair use and plagiarism

In this age of “copy-and-paste,” teachers must model academic honesty.

Copyright vs. Plagiarism

Copyright is a legal issue (using someone’s work without a license) while Plagiarism is an ethical issue (claiming someone’s idea as your own).

Fair use

Teachers can use limited copyrighted material for education, but this is governed by four factors:

• Purpose
• Nature
• Amount
• Effect

You should not photocopy the entire textbook!

OER and Creative Commons

Use open educational resources and Creative Commons (BY, NC, ND) licenses to find legal, free materials for your lessons.

3. Protecting personal and learners’ data

Under the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA), you’re the custodian of your students’ sensitive information.

• Only collect the data you need.

• Never make grade sheets “Public.” Use Restricted Links and BCC (Blind Carbon Copy) when emailing groups of parents to protect their private addresses.

• Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) to ensure that even if your password is stolen, your student records remain locked.

4. Netiquette and digital footprint awareness

The internet never forgets.

Your digital footprint is your permanent professional resume.

Active vs. Passive

Your active footprint is what you post.

Your passive footprint is what the web collects about you (location, history).

Netiquette

Practice professional “internet etiquette.”

• Avoid shouting (ALL CAPS)
• Respect others’ privacy
• Always fact-check before sharing viral news in school groups

T.H.I.N.K.

Teach students to ask if a post is True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary and Kind before they hit “send.”