An Analysis of What Kids Should Know About Cyberspace

Ages and Stages

A strong sense of family and an internalization of values are the traits associated with 7- and 8-year-olds. Children at this age:

• begin to develop the capacity for logical thinking and planning
• use more complex systems of classifying objects and events
• begin to integrate creative problem-solving skills into learning
• consolidate self-esteem and gain confidence
• develop social skills through group participation
• learn to control emotions
• tend to be trusting
• don't question authority
• develop effective ways of relating to authority figures
• increase their capacity for self-motivation, self-discipline and productivity
• begin to recognize norms for social behaviour – what’s “right” and what’s “wrong”
• seek more independence

7- and 8-Year-Olds and Media

Children in this age group share some similarities with 5- and 6-year-olds in interpreting the Internet and other media. They:

• tend to trust media personalities and characters
• accept media content at face value
• may be frightened by visual images, both realistic and fantastic

In addition, 7- and 8-year-olds:

• are curious, seeking new information
• don’t question technology
• see computers and the Internet as “cool”
• tend to mimic behaviour and attitudes portrayed in the media
• believe media portrayals are real if they appear possible in real life (that is, they now know that a superhero is a fantasy figure, but may believe a police drama is real)
• accept media content in television shows, on the Internet or in video games uncritically

Educational Resources Online

Online resources that can stimulate social and intellectual development in this age group include:

• games that develop critical-thinking skills
• games and activities that develop academic skills, such as math and spelling
• problem-solving puzzles that use pictures
• information about favourite topics and hobbies
• Web sites where children can post and share drawings, poems and stories
• educational freeware and shareware
• Web sites that feature perspectives of children from around the world
• e-mail exchange programs

Online Issues: Although parental supervision of 7- and 8-year-olds online ranges from strict to lax, the majority are still supervised to a fair extent while surfing the Net. Online issues that should be addressed for this age group include:

• ease of moving from appropriate to inappropriate sites through hyperlinks
• exposure to search results containing inappropriate Web sites
• heavy use of interactive games by children
• access to "advergames" – interactive online games based on products or brands
• exposure to "edutainment" – commercial games and online environments that are promoted as being "educational," but that market and sell products
• aggressive and manipulative collection of children’s and parents’ personal information by marketers

Educational Response: Teaching Critical-Thinking Skills

The age of 7-8 is an ideal time to reinforce thinking and learning skills, encourage problem-solving and decision-making, and promote creativity and communication. Parents should collect examples of the positive and innovative uses of the Internet to share with their children. They should continue to review:

• open networks and related privacy implications
• basic online safety skills
• use of networking to promote tolerance by learning about people from other countries/cultures
• the differences between virtual acquaintances and real-life friends
• child-friendly search tools

This is the time to introduce:

• beginner search strategies and search engines for children, such as Ask Jeeves and Yahooligans
• the idea of individuals creating their own online environments by having children record or bookmark favourite Web sites
• e-mailing e-pals in a safe online environment
• online environments that present a range of different opinions
• basic online marketing strategies and the differences between commercial “playgrounds” and non-commercial sites for children
• the concept of copyright and online responsibility
• elements of Web design

Resources from the Media Awareness Network Web site for getting started

• Introducing the Internet: Messages, Envelopes, Addresses
  A lesson that helps students understand how electronic messages are delivered over the Internet
• Introducing the Internet: Exploring the Internet
  A lesson that provides students with an understanding of the basic structure of electronic network communications
• Introducing the Internet: Telephones and Networks
  A lesson that helps students understand how hyperlinks work and introduces them to basic Internet safety skills
• Online Marketing Strategies
  A student handout that outlines common advertising strategies used on the Internet
• Privacy Playground: The First Adventure of the Three CyberPigs
  An interactive game, accompanied by a Teacher’s Guide, which teaches children about online marketing and protecting personal privacy
• Welcome to the Safety Highway!
  A student handout that features Internet safety tips

Lefebvre, A., and Hillis, B. (1999). Taking Your Kids Online. McGraw-Hill Ryerson Ltd.: Toronto.

Josephson W. (1995.) Television Violence: A Review of the Effects on Children of Different Ages. Report prepared for the Department of Canadian Heritage.