Scoutles.com – Cyber chips, first released in 2017, are just one of the most recent enhancements to Scouting. Necessary to gain the Precursor and also Star ranks, your cyber chip will certainly teach you online safety and security, as defined by the BSA council.
In this article, I’ll be instructing you exactly how to rapidly as well as quickly earn your cyber chip award!
What is Cyber Chip?
The Cub Scout Cyber Chip is an important tool to aid our children stay safe online. I recognize that as parents of initially via 5th , we might assume that topics such as cyberbullying, on the internet privacy, and social media networks are a long way off for us.
But, you might be stunned to learn that over 5 million Facebook users are kids under the age of 10 also though the age restriction for an account is 13.
So just how do we teach our kids internet security concepts? In partnership with NetSmartz®, the Boy Scouts of America developed the Cyber Chip program.
Similar to the Whittling Chip is created to instruct the children pocketknife safety, the Cyber Chip is developed to show them internet safety and security.
There are BSA Cyber Chip requirements for boys in grades 1-3, qualities 4-5, grades 6-8 as well as grades 9-12. Even if your children aren’t in Cub Scouts, you can still make the most of NetSmartz’s outstanding programming.
Each Cub Scout Cyber Chip level covers topics such as cyberbullying, mobile phone use, texting, identity, blog writing and also gaming burglary.
To make the Cyber Chip, Cub Scouts authorize a Web Safety and security Promise, see an age-appropriate on the internet video clip as well as share what they have actually learned with their den or den leader.
Cyber Chip Requirements
As a disclaimer, I personally do not love the concept of adding a cyber chip requirement. I made my Eagle honor before cyber chips were presented and also do not like just how intrusive some of the online demands can be.
Although online safety and security is essential, so is on-line freedom as well as privacy. That’s why, in this article, I have actually laid out a balanced method to developing your online safety contract and also earning your cyber chip.
Requirements for Grades 1-3
| 1. Read, commit to, and sign the Level I Internet Safety Pledge. (This is the BSA Cyber Chip Blue Card) |
| 2. Watch the video “Bad Netiquette Stinks.” |
| 3. Play the Router’s Birthday Surprise Interactive Adventure, and print the completion certificate to give to your den leader. |
| 5. Show and tell your family, den leader, den, or pack what you have learned. |
First, you need to know that grade 1-3 of the cyber chip is more intended to rank tiger, bear, and wolves.
Requirements for Grades 4-5
| 1. Read, commit to, and sign the Level I Internet Safety Pledge. (This is the BSA Cyber Chip Blue Card) |
| 2. Watch the video “The Password Rap” and another video of your choosing. |
| 3. As an individual or with your den, use the Teachable Recipes to demonstrate Internet safety rules to your den leader, den, or pack. |
| 4. Discuss with your unit leader the acceptable standards and practices for using allowed electronic devices, such as phones and games, at your meetings and other Scouting events. |
What is Cyber Chip Teachable Recipes?
The Teachable Recipes is a document includes four different “recipes”.
| Who’s on the internet? – For this, the boys need to cook two sets of cookies. For the second dish, they are intended to swap the sugar and salt quantities. So, if the recipe calls for 1 cup of sugar and also 1 teaspoon of salt, the second batch would have 1 cup of salt and 1 teaspoon of sugar. The ethical of this recipe is that individuals on the net aren’t always what they appear to be. You might think your on-line pal “Trevor” is a 10-year-old much like you, however, he might be an adult that wishes to hurt you. |
| Trusted Adult – This recipe makes use of uncooked pasta noodles to teach the kids that it’s easier to be solid and risk-free when you’re surrounded by family and friends that assist maintain you secure. |
| Cyberbullying – Dessert mix and also milk demonstrate how reports and truth online can get blended and also permanently transform a person’s track record. |
| Viruses – Using a piece of bread to stand for a computer as well as water to represent a corrupted, downloaded and install data, this recipe uses the mold to represent exactly how a computer system can become contaminated. |
Requirements for Grades 6-8
| 1. Read and sign the Level II Internet Safety Pledge on the BSA Cyber Chip Green Card. |
| 2. Write and sign a personalized contract with your parent or guardian that outlines rules for using the computer and mobile devices, including what you can download, what you can post, and consequences for inappropriate use. |
| 3. Watch the video “Friend or Fake,” along with two additional videos of your choosing, to see how friends can help each other to stay safe online. |
| 4. As an individual or with your patrol, use the EDGE method and to teach Internet safety rules, behavior, and “netiquette” to your troop or another patrol. You are encouraged to use any additional material and information you have researched. Each member of the patrol must have a role and present part of the lesson. |
| 5. Discuss with your unit leader the acceptable standards and practices for using allowed electronic devices, such as phones and games, at your meetings and other Scouting events. |
Requirements for Grades 9-12
Cyber chip needs vary in between scouts who remain in sixth through 8th grade, versus scouts who are in 9th through 12th grade. I include the answers and demands to both groups, so simply try to find the areas that put on you.
Your cyber chip ought to be very easy to make as well as will likely take about 1 hour to complete.
| 1. Read and sign the Level II Internet Safety Pledge on the BSA Cyber Chip Green Card. |
| 2. Write and sign a personalized contract with your parent or guardian that outlines rules for using the computer and mobile devices, including what you can download, what you can post, and consequences for inappropriate use. |
| 3. Watch three “Real-Life Story ” videos to learn the impact on teens. |
| 4. As an individual or patrol, use the EDGE method and the Student Project Kit to teach Internet safety rules, behavior, and “netiquette” to your troop or another patrol. You are encouraged to use any additional material and information you have researched. Each member of the patrol must have a role and present part of the lesson. |
| 5. Discuss with your unit leader the acceptable standards and practices for using allowed electronic devices such as phones and games at your meetings and other Scouting events. |
| 6. Discuss with your parents the benefits and potential dangers teenagers might experience when using social media. Give examples of each. |
Following is a more complete explanation of the purpose of the requirements for grades 6-12
Requirement 1: Cyber Chip Green Card
Your scoutmaster must have a cyber chip permit for you to make use of. If you need to purchase your very own, official cyber chip eco-friendly cards can be acquired online from Scout Store and also are linked right here.
Comparable to a totin’ or firefighter chip, the cyber chip permit enables you to make use of the internet – given that you adhere to the chip guidelines. To be granted your cyber chip, you’ll need to consent to the web safety promise which is composed below.
This exact same pledge will also be published on the back of your cyber chip honor:
- I will think before I post.
- I will respect other people online.
- I will respect digital media ownership.
- I won’t meet face-to-face with anyone I meet in the digital world unless I have my parent’s permission.
- I will protect myself online.
This is the level II net safety and security pledge which you’ll need to accept in order to gain your cyber chip. Just get a cyber chip permit as well as consent to this promise by authorizing your name.
Once completed, you’ll have completed the very first requirement for gaining your cyber chip!
Requirement 2: Cyber Chip Personalized Contract
You can replicate and also paste this example contract and also make changes accordingly. When making use of digital media, I have actually currently modified this agreement to even more fairly represent what your rights ought to be.
I would certainly recommend you edit this contract till you are pleased with its terms. As soon as you as well as your parents have actually signed the personalized contract, you’ll have completed need 2 of your cyber chip!
Digital Technology Contract
| My parents allow me to use digital technology if I agree to rules for using it. I understand that I must abide by these rules or the device will be taken away from me. The rules include the following: 1. I will answer any questions my parents might have about my technology use and disclose any information relating to social accounts, cell phone contacts, pictures, videos, text messages, email, or anything else stored in the device if there is probable cause to investigate. 2. I will not use technology devices after a time in the evening designated by my parents. For the purpose of this contract, that time will be called “bedtime.” On school nights that time is ___. On non-school nights that time is ___. This will be revised from time to time, either earlier or later, depending on my age and how well I respect the rules of this agreement. 3. I will abide by my school’s rules regarding the use of cell phones, internet, and other digital technology. 4. When driving, I will not make phone calls or operate my cell phone or tablet in any manner, including checking for texts, reading texts, or creating text messages. If my phone rings while I am driving, I will not answer it. I will wait and return calls and texts either when I have reached my destination or can pull over safely. 5. Any abusive use of this technology will mean I will lose this or all technology privileges for a period of time. Abuse includes sending or saving inappropriate content (nudity or partial nudity, drug or alcohol references, harassing or bullying messages, spreading rumors, sending or receiving calls or texts from strangers, etc.) 6. House rules [Modify as you desire]: When speaking with adults, focus on them: do not check text messages or search for videos. Scout Signature Date Parent/Guardian Signature(s) Date |
Requirement 3: Watch NetSmartz videos
You’ll need to watch 3 videos on web safety to complete this requirement for your Cyber Chip honor. I ‘d directly advise watching the video clips on cyberbullying and also gaming as they relate to the majority of precursors but likewise have a very short runtime.
| If you’re in grade 6-8: Watch “Good Friend or Fake” in addition to 2 various other videos. I would certainly advise viewing the video clips linked above on cyberbullying and video gaming. You can check out some other choices below. |
| If you’re in grade 9-12: Just view 3 ‘Real-Life Story’ video clips. |
| If you need to enjoy the third video, 2 Kinds of Stupid could help you to reassess things you upload online. In my point of view, this is possibly the most valuable Netsmartz video clip for any kind of high schooler. |
Requirement 4: Teach Internet Safety to Your Troop/Patrol
Generally, you’re just asked to evaluate whatever you have actually learned so far in a discussion to your patrol.
I ‘d directly utilize the precursor legislation as a base as well as talk about how you might apply the same concepts to your behavior online. Make certain to cover 3 main points:
| Web safety and security regulations: The policies that are printed on your cyber chip. |
| Behavior: The contract with your moms and dads, along with online threats to keep an eye out for (see section 6). |
| “Netiquette”: Preventing bullying and also making use of social media sites appropriately. |
It’s additionally recommended that you read the Netsmartz PDF which can be downloaded listed below if you’re in qualities 9-12. You’ll have completed demand 4 of your cyber chip once you assess the major concepts with your patrol!
Requirement 5: Discuss Electronics In Scouting With Your Scoutmaster
Discuss your troop’s electronics plan with a scoutmaster. Make clear the correct use phones during army functions and also recognize the benefits and disadvantages of this plan. Feel free to ask any kind of concerns you might have and review the scenario honestly.
There actually isn’t much to do to plan for this need. If your sights on electronics match their own, just select your scoutmaster’s brain as well as see.
As soon as you’ve completed your conversation, if you’re in sixth with 8th quality, you have actually just completed gaining your cyber chip! If you remain in qualities 9-12, advance to the last demand.
Requirement 6: Discuss the Benefits and Dangers of Social Media
Several of the cyber chip needs are too much as well as unneeded, there in fact are some really actual threats to using social media inaccurately. Developing, saving, or dispersing inappropriate photographs of anybody under 18 years old is a severe felony.
Even in a few of the institutions I have actually attended, I have actually seen teenagers who have actually faced huge legal effects as well as had their lives destroyed for breaking this regulation.
Right here are 5 severe dangers to be knowledgeable about when using social media:
| Bullying: Whether you’re bulling someone else or simply being a bit edgy and controversial, you should know that any online message records can be brought to your school and used in a case to suspend or expel you. Be very careful about what you’re writing, and who you’re writing to, especially when online. |
| Inappropriate content: Creating, sharing, or saving illegal content can get you into a lot of trouble. I’d recommend you avoid pirating files without a VPN and never save or distribute inappropriate photos/videos. |
| Strangers/Catfishing: Whether it’s some kid at school trying to mess with you or some serial killer trying to kidnap you, you should avoid talking with strangers you encounter online. Never send sensitive material to, or meet with, in person, someone you’ve only seen online. |
| Comparison traps: Spending too much time on social media can make you begin to compare yourself with others. Don’t fall into this trap and instead, live your own life. Often, pictures shared online are photoshopped highlight reels, so avoid comparing your life to what you’re seeing online. |
| Scams/Viruses: Viruses can steal sensitive information and destroy your device, while scams can cost you money and compromise your security. Always be aware of that these pitfalls exist, and be cautious when downloading files or giving out important information. |
Nonetheless, don’t allow these risks to stop you from using social media sites entirely. There are certain advantages that come from using social media constructively and also successfully.
Below are 5 benefits that you can obtain from making use of social media sites in the right way:
| Connect with friends: By communicating with your friends on social media, you’ll be able to easily keep in touch and make plans to hang out. You can also keep up to date with friends who you might not be able to see very often. |
| Signal to prospective employers: Employers and colleges check out your social media pages. Turn this into an advantage by showing yourself in the best possible way |
| Learn: Social media can be a great source of knowledge if you follow the right kind of pages. By unfollowing trashy pages and following useful ones, social media can help you to effortlessly learn and grow! |
| Unlock opportunities: Sometimes, job opportunities or exciting new options can appear on social media. By keeping a watch out for anything that might be useful, social media has the power to unlock opportunities. Just remember to be careful. |
| Build a brand: Influencing on social media can be a path to enormous success. If you begin to create content instead of just consuming it, you might find yourself able to build a huge following. Doing this can unlock enormous opportunities very quickly in life. |
[powerkit_alert type=”info” dismissible=”false” multiline=”false”]Note: All Cyber Chips will expire annually. Each Scout will need to “recharge” the chip by going back to the Netsmartz Recharge area. This space will hold new information, news, and a place for the Scout to recommit to net safety and netiquette. Then, with the unit leader, the Scout can add the new date to the Cyber Chip card or certificate.
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