SID Activities USA - i-SAFE
As a direct result of the evolution and interface of technology and Cyberspace children, at an increasingly younger age, have access to the Internet in the palm of their hands. They communicate and socialize, purchase and play games often away from the supervision of parents or teachers.
Therefore, connecting the new generation of Internet users requires a deliberate and coordinated effort that encourages young users to embrace the technology and the digital world, while at the same time instilling concepts like citizenship, ethics, rules, and privacy that empower them to embrace their online world safely and responsibly.
On the occasion of Safer Internet Day, i-SAFE is introducing the Internet safety duo “Dot and i” to help explain this complex online world, simply, through learning activities for the new generation of young Internet users – pre-kindergarten through second grade (learners up to age 7). "Dot and i" are engaging cartoon characters who, as their first assignment, guide children through learning their “A-B-Cs” of safety and citizenship in a comprehensive and captivating activity book. An animated version of the “Dot and i” characters are also seen in music videos that encourage kids to sing along to catchy e-Safety songs. Click the "Images" tab in the Media Gallery to see "Dot and i".
At the same time, i-SAFE is also connecting to the next age-group by introducing programming centered on the concept of sock puppets. Why sock puppets? The term “sock puppet” in the digital world refers to a user's secondary channel, usually used to mask the identity of the user. Unfortunately, the real world sock puppets, made of cotton, wool, and felt have been knocked by this term; and i-SAFE believes it’s child’s play to give students an opportunity for them to learn through them, as well as to mentor others, by giving their “real world” sock puppets a voice.
These learning materials are distributed to schools in more than 4,500 districts across the United States as well as in 25 countries. An i-SAFE e-Safety education instills the critical thinking and decision-making skills needed for students to make smart and responsible choices online. i-SAFE is truly the leader in e-Safety by addressing cutting-edge media literacy and digital citizenship issues in the classroom, and outside the classroom through innovative learning and mentoring platforms that reach and teach today’s social media-savvy students.
By staying out front of the ever-changing technology landscape, adopting new and innovative teaching methods, and encouraging hands-on participation through mentoring, i-SAFE is able to connect with new generations of online users who are actively discovering the digital world together, safely.
