Elementary Educator Perceptions of Student Digital Safety Based on Technology Use in the Classroom

Abstract

Children interact with digital devices for learning and entertainment at an early age. This study examines elementary educators’ perceptions of student digital safety based on their interactions with others using technology in the classroom. Through a qualitative interview study, we analyzed data collected from ten elementary educators, including classroom teachers, media specialists, and instructional technology facilitators. Educators shared that their students interact with one another using technology for a variety of social and learning purposes in the classroom. Additionally, teachers described negative interactions with technology they have observed in their classrooms with elementary students, including incidents of cyberbullying and access to inappropriate content online. Findings from this study support the design of instructional materials for elementary student digital safety and have implications for teachers, parents, students, and administrators.

Keywords:

• Digital safety
• elementary school students
• online interactions
• classroom technology

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant 2015554.