'Digital shield' for students in the new era

A strong “digital shield” not only protects children from online harm, but also helps them develop comprehensively in the new era.

It is time for us to build a “digital shield” for students. (Photo: Nga Son)

Vietnamese children are growing up in a digital world where knowledge is limitless, but also contains risks and vulnerabilities. The question is no longer “should children use the Internet or not?”, but “how to keep them safe, kind and resilient in the online world.”

Many children are caught up in the vortex of “likes” and “views”, losing their innocence. There have been many heartbreaking stories: Students are bullied online, lured into “challenge games”, have their private photos exposed, or suffer psychological crises because of being compared to virtual images. At an age when they are still learning to love themselves, such shock leaves a deeper wound than scolding in a real classroom.

Therefore, it is time for us to build a “digital shield” for students. It is not a wall, but a shield that protects from within. It is a system of skills, awareness and values ​​that help them stand firm against the storm of information. It must go deep into the ability to think critically, analyze information, understand privacy and behave civilly in cyberspace.

In the world, many countries have introduced “digital safety” into their school curriculum as a mandatory life skill. Children are taught how to set passwords, recognize bad content, report harassment, respect copyright and privacy of others. Vietnam has taken initial steps but is still fragmented. Perhaps, there needs to be a systematic, synchronous program from primary to secondary school, combining teaching technology skills and personality education . Because “digital shield” is not just content filtering software, but a moral immune system in the soul of students.

In each lesson, instead of teaching students how to search faster, teachers can ask: “If you share unverified information, what will happen?”; “If you are offended online, what will you do?”. These questions are the first step to help children understand that the Internet is not an invisible space. Every action leaves traces, words can save or hurt others.

The family must also be the first classroom for digital safety. Parents should not only prohibit, but also learn with their children, set limits on device usage time, and analyze content together. When parents actively participate, children will not see the Internet as a "no-go zone", but as an environment where they can learn under control. Because technology is not bad, it is only dangerous when it operates in a vacuum of indifference. In addition, schools and society need to work together to create a safer digital environment: Online learning platforms need age-appropriate filters; technology companies must be responsible for protecting data and controlling content; the press and media need to spread the spirit of "cyber civilization" instead of sensational headlines and clickbait.

On the management side, there is a need for a national strategy on digital safety for students, focusing on education and violence prevention. The Ministry of Education and Training can develop a digital skills curriculum, train specialized teachers, and encourage students to participate in experiential activities and “digital citizenship” clubs. Shaping technology habits and ethics early will create a generation of young adults who can master technology instead of being controlled by it.

A strong “digital shield” not only protects children from online harm, but also helps them develop comprehensively in the new era, where knowledge changes every hour but human values ​​remain the root.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/la-chan-so-cho-hoc-sinh-trong-thoi-dai-moi-333971.html