Hello readers

My son (7 years), after receiving the Rummikub game as a birthday gift, asked me if he could play the game on the internet. Included in the box with the game was a big advert for their online version.

We logged in to the Rummikub web site together and found a child friendly looking game room and tried to figure out how to play this game online. OK, so that was a mistake to begin with. I should have checked the web site and worked out how to play it before letting my son have a go.

We made a few mistakes as we were learning the game, much to the disgust of a very bad mannered, opinionated 10 year old. In the chat box he had typed that my son was an idiot among other things.

After that my son completely lost interest in the online version of the game, but I took the opportunity to teach him about online etiquette and how the internet works. I explained to him that:

• Having a login on the internet does not make you ruler of the digital universe. You are merely a guest visiting a worldwide community where you should behave as you would in someone else's home or shop or at school.
• If you were made ruler of the digital universe, (or at least your own Moshi Monster House or Smart Phone) you need to rule with empathy, compassion and common sense. You should treat everyone else as you would want them to treat you.

In my article Digital life skills for kids, I outline why raising kids with good old fashioned values and educating them on social media and digital tools before they use them unsupervised is critical for their safety and encourages responsible online behavior.

www.kidzworld.co.za

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