Scott Point School believes that all students should be a Digital Citizen.
The safe and responsible use of the internet in teaching and learning is an essential part of this.

We think a good digital citizen is someone who:
• is a confident and capable user of ICT
• will use ICT for learning as well as other activities
• will think carefully about whether the information they see online is true
• will be able to speak the language of digital technologies
• understand that they may experience problems when using technology but can deal with them • will always use ICT to communicate with others in positive ways
• will be honest and fair in all of their actions using ICT
• will always respect people’s privacy and freedom of speech online
• will help others to become a better digital citizen

Because we know this is important, we ask everyone working at the school (staff, students, and volunteers) to agree to use the internet and other technologies safely and responsibly by following the guidelines laid out in a Responsible Use Agreement like this one.

When using Digital Technologies at Scott Point School will always be a good digital citizen. This means that I;

1. Will be a confident and capable user of Digital Technologies.
I know what I do and do not understand about the technologies that I use. I will get help where I need it.

2. Will use ICT (and Digital Technologies) for learning as well as other activities.
I understand that technology can help me to learn.  I also know it can be used to talk to people, to buy and sell things, and to have my opinion heard. I know when and where it is OK to do each one.

3. Will think carefully about whether the information I see online is true.
I know that it is easy to put information online. This means that what I see is not always right. I will always check to make sure information is real before I use it.

4. Will be able to speak the language of digital technologies.
When people talk online the things they say can be quite different from a conversation they might have if they were sitting next to each other. I know that I must try to understand what people are saying before I react to them. If I am not sure, I can ask them or someone else to explain.

5. Understand that I may experience problems when I use technology but that I will learn to deal with them.
I understand that there will be times when technology may not work as I expected it to, or that people may be mean or unkind to me online. When these things happen, I know that there are ways I can deal with it. I also know there are people I can go to, to get help if I don’t know what to do next.

6. Will always use ICT (and Digital Technologies) to communicate with others in positive, meaningful ways.
I will always talk politely and with respect to people online. I know that it is possible to bully or hurt people with what I say and do on the internet. I will think about the effect that my actions have on other people.

7. Will be honest and fair in all of my actions using ICT (and Digital Technologies).
I will never do anything online that I know will hurt anyone.  I will make sure what I do is not against the law.  I will make sure that my actions don’t break the rules of the websites that I use. When I am not sure about what I am doing I will ask for help.

8. Will always respect people’s privacy and freedom of speech online.
I understand that some information is private. I will be careful when using full names, birthdays, addresses, and photos of other people and of my own. I also know that I will not always agree with what people say online but that does not mean that I can stop them or use it as an excuse to be unkind to them.

9. Will help others to become better digital citizens.
Being a good digital citizen is something that we all have to work at. If I know that my friends are having problems online, I will try to help them. If I see that someone is being unfairly treated online then I will speak up rather than just watch it happen.

Learner Declaration
I understand that these guidelines for responsible use are to be followed when using any technology whilst at school or whilst on any school activity. I am aware that this may include the use of a device that the school does not own.  I understand that if I breach this responsible use agreement, I may lose access.

I understand that our school is supporting learners as they learn the skills required to become successful digital citizens. Our school defines a digital citizen as someone who;

is a confident and capable user of ICT (and Digital Technologies)
uses technologies to participate in educational, cultural, and economic activities
uses and develops critical thinking skills in cyberspace
is literate in the language, symbols, and texts of digital technologies
is aware of ICT (and Digital Technologies) challenges and can manage them effectively
uses ICT (and Digital Technologies) to relate to others in positive, meaningful ways
demonstrates honesty and integrity in their use of ICT (and Digital Technologies)
respects the concepts of privacy and freedom of speech in a digital world
contributes and actively promotes the values of digital citizenship

I understand that our school has a policy and associated procedures which outline the school’s digital citizenship approach and how this supports teaching and learning. *A link to these documents can be found on our school docs website.  I understand that the school provides access to the internet and other digital technologies because it believes that they enhance the teaching and learning process. I understand that all devices brought to school are my child’s responsibility and the insurance for the device is my responsibility.  I understand that the school holds no responsibility for any loss or damage which might occur.

I understand that the school encourages responsible behaviour by learners when using technology to help protect themselves and each other from experiencing harm online. I am aware that this “Responsible Use Agreement” is part of that, and that it encourages learners to consider how their actions can affect themselves and those around them.  I have read the learner declaration and have talked with my child about what it means to them. I am happy that my child understands what this means and that they are capable of working within the guidelines.

I am aware that learners can experience challenges when using technology, but that the school makes every effort to support learners to manage those challenges effectively. I understand that by learning to deal with them in a safe environment with the appropriate support they will be better prepared to deal with those challenges in the future.  If I have questions or concerns about the way  in which technology is being used by my child at school, I know the school is happy to discuss this with me, and I am aware that I am welcome to do this at any time.