- Practicing digital etiquette by behaving respectfully and responsibly in digital interactions, whether through emails, social media, or messaging can help in safe digital use.
- Safe digital use involves protecting personal information whereby one limits the amount of private or sensitive information that is shared online, for example one’s address, financial details, or personal identification numbers.
- Boundaries can be set to deal with the addiction and over-reliance through interventions like setting boundaries for digital use during meals, social events, or bedtime or taking regular “digital detox” days to reset.
Safe digital use refers to using technology, digital tools, and the internet in a way that protects personal data, privacy, and well-being.
It involves understanding the potential risks and adopting behaviours and practices to minimise harm while maximising the benefits of digital engagement.
Safe digital use is interacting with digital tools, the internet, and electronic devices in a way that is secure, ethical, and mindful of potential risks to your personal well-being, privacy, and security. It is about making informed choices to protect yourself and others in the digital world while ensuring technology is used responsibly and positively.
Safe digital use involves protecting personal information whereby one limits the amount of private or sensitive information that is shared online, for example one’s address, financial details, or personal identification numbers. Sharing too much personal information can expose one to identity theft, fraud, or scams.
Safe digital use can be achieved by enhancing cybersecurity. This is through safeguarding one’s devices, data, and accounts from hackers, malware, and cyberattacks. This is important because weak security can lead to breaches, stolen information, or unauthorised access.
One can achieve cyber-security for example through using antivirus software and keeping it updated, enabling two-factor authentication on online accounts or avoiding clicking on suspicious links or downloading unverified files.
Practicing digital etiquette by behaving respectfully and responsibly in digital interactions, whether through emails, social media, or messaging can help in safe digital use. This is crucial because online behaviour can impact relationships, reputations, and overall digital harmony.
For example, through avoiding offensive language, hate speech, or cyberbullying, respecting intellectual property by not plagiarising or pirating content or being considerate of others’ time by not spamming or sending unnecessary messages.
Safe digital use can be enhanced through managing one’s online reputation. This is by being mindful of how one’s digital actions contribute to one’s “digital footprint”.
Digital footprint refers to the information available about you on the internet. This matters because a careless online reputation can affect personal and professional opportunities. For example, think twice before posting content that may be offensive or inappropriate, regularly check your name online to understand your digital presence.
Navigating digital contents safely is also a way to achieve safe digital use. This is by being able to identify trustworthy information and avoid harmful or misleading content. The internet contains a mix of valuable and harmful information, so being able to differentiate between valuable and harmful content is important.
For instance, verifying the authenticity of news sources, being cautious of online ads and offers that seem “too good to be true or avoiding exposure to harmful content like graphic violence or hate speech”.
Safe digital use can be implemented through balancing screen time which is using devices without letting them dominate your time or harm your health. Excessive use of technology can lead to physical harm to health like eyes strain and mental health issues like anxiety, depression, social isolation etc.
One can achieve balanced screen time by setting limits for daily screen time, taking breaks using the 20-20-20 rule (every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds) or prioritising offline activities and face-to-face interactions.
Protecting children from harmful content, cyberbullying or online predators is also safe digital use. Ensuring children’s online safety is important because children may not recognise risks or know how to handle them.
Parents or guardians can enhance children online safety by using parental controls and monitoring their online activity, teaching them about online dangers like grooming or scams, or even encouraging open communication about their digital experiences.
Being a safe digital use ambassador implies recognising digital addiction. This is by being aware of signs of excessive reliance on technology that interferes with daily life. Overuse and over-reliance on digital technology can lead to unhealthy dependencies and social disconnection.
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Boundaries can be set to deal with the addiction and over-reliance through interventions like setting boundaries for digital use during meals, social events, or bedtime or taking regular “digital detox” days to reset.
Safe digital use is important for various reasons like personal security which prevents identity theft, data breaches, and cyberattacks. Through safe digital use, mental and physical health encourages a healthier relationship with technology.
Responsible citizenship promotes respectful, ethical, and constructive online interactions by being a safe digital use ambassador. Safe digital use helps one make informed decisions, which helps one navigate the digital world wisely and avoid being manipulated by misinformation or scams.
