Parents face a unique challenge today: A new report from Rochester Institute of Technology, RIT reports that Internet threats are affecting children at younger ages. Cyberbullying starts in second grade. Pirating illegal content such as music and movies begins in fourth grade.
To counter these increasing risks, educators and parents are turning to the next generation of social networkers. This allows kids to learn fundamentals of cybersecurity and cyber-ethics in their preferred setting: a virtual world. Parents Magazine has named WoogiWorld as one of the five best next-generation sites. This new educational approach is a hit with both kids and parents.
WoogiWorld’s unique approach is based on online and offline cross-over where children earn “WoogiWatts”You can earn virtual currency by fulfilling important tasks in real life. Children are encouraged and supported to develop new hobbies, participate in real-world community, balance screen-time, form clubs, and be useful in their home.
The Woogi Readers Club, for example, offers online versions of classic children’s books (such as “Rikki Tikki Tavi”Rudyard Kipling), as well as chapter-oriented games. Children learn as they “pass off”Each chapter in the current month’s book. They must complete Internet Basic Training to become a member. This training teaches them how to stay safe online.
WoogiWorld partners up with Harvard, RIT, RIT University of Maryland, and other institutions to teach media literacy and technology in core STEM subjects (science technology, engineering, mathematics, reading, music and nutrition).
According to a 2008 National Cyber Security Alliance report, 75% of educators felt inept about discussing cyber-bullying. WoogiWorld developed modules that were compatible with both federal and state education curriculums. It is now fully equipped to offer schools the Internet safety curriculum that the federal government requires.
WoogiWorld, a project by iKeepSafe.org is a broad Coalition consisting of first spouses, governors, attorneys general and public health professionals as well as industry leaders and policy makers working together to ensure the safety and health of online youth. Visit http://www.woogiworld.org/ for more information www.WoogiWorld.com.
