Cyberspace Issues Discussion Cards

This resource addresses the misuse of smartphones and other mobile technology in a range of contexts in and out of the school environment. While mobile devices clearly have significant educational uses and benefits, they are also frequently misused.

These question-based discussion cards encourage students to think about and reflect on both the appropriate use and misuse of mobile technology. In addition, using the cards provides an opportunity to establish a considered and agreed set of ground rules to ensure appropriate behaviour is adopted in a consensual way.

Topics for discussion include:

• Texting in lessons
• Social chat rooms
• Homophobic bullying
• Riot
• Texting in company
• Sexting
• Playing computer games at home
• Talking face to face
• Misuse of social networking sites
• Agreeing school rules on use of mobile phones etc
• Banning electronic devices at home
• A supermarket checkout situation
• Taking pictures in and out of school then posting them on social media
• Celebrities and social media.