Digital Child researchers are leading an Australian-first study to teach young children, including those aged three to four, about digital citizenship.

The trial involves pre-schools and kindergartens as well as 15 primary schools from remote, rural, and metropolitan regions across Australia from Prep to Year 6.

The project is led by Chief Investigator Professor Michael Dezuanni and is funded by an Australian Government online safety grant administered by the Office of eSafety. The team includes Chief Investigators Professor Susan Danby and Professor Peta Wyeth, Associate Investigator Professor Susan Edwards, together with QUT’s Professor Kerryann Walsh.

Professor Dezuanni says lessons about digital citizenship for young children are being developed using the principles of play-based learning that’s appropriate for pre-school and kindergarten settings.

“Even very young children now use digital devices daily so it’s crucial we teach children about good digital citizenship from the earlier years of their education,” Professor Dezuanni said.

“We need to introduce young children to critical reflection about their technology use in ways that are engaging and fun.”

Additional expertise to create the pre-school and kindergarten curriculum will be drawn from Associate Investigator Professor Susan Edwards from Australian Catholic University, who is a world-leader in play-based education and technology education.

Students from primary schools, participating in the trial, will be taught more advanced concepts as they move up through year levels.

Professor Dezuanni said the primary-school program was based on one of the world’s leading digital citizenship curriculums, developed by US-based Common Sense Media in partnership with Harvard university experts.

He said the trial will evaluate the effectiveness of Common Sense Media’s Digital Citizenship approach in an Australian context.

To date, there is no research-approved digital curriculum being taught in Australian schools.

The trial involves a parternship with Evolve Education to deliver teacher professional development and support for schools to implement the curriculum during the trial.

“Evolve Education are thrilled to be working with QUT and Common Sense Media to empower students across Australia with the strategies to stay safe online, build critical literacy skills and take charge of their digital wellbeing,” co-founder of Evolve Education Steve Villani said.

Common Sense Education Vice President of Education Programs Kelly Mendoza said she had confidence in the partnership to empower students to stay safe online.

“Common Sense Education is committed to supporting students, educators, and schools in Australia to build a positive culture of digital citizenship,” she said.

The project has been allocated $544,400 in funding that will run for one year.

Read the original news story on the QUT website.