Relationships & Communication
Activity
Read aloud: Let's find the three things that are a part of in-person communication but not online, text-only communication. Circle them. Then, we'll talk about why those pieces matter. After we discuss, let's check the Answers section to see how we did!
commonsense.org/education
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GRADES 3–5: DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP FAMILY ACTIVITY
Digital citizenship: Thinking critically and using technology responsibly to learn, create, and participate
Instructions
It's important to know the difference between online and in-person communication. Find three pieces of in-person communication that aren't always a part of text-only, online communication. Then, talk about why those pieces matter. Get one or more family members together to help. Don't forget to read the setup before doing the activity together!
Setup
Read aloud: Talking in person is often pretty different from communicating online. Often, online communication is text-only. That can change how people communicate and how easy it is to understand.
Learn more about how to communicate online at commonsense.org/family-tips-about-online-relationships!
Answer these questions together: Why do those three things matter? How can they make online and face-to-face communication different?��Answers: The three missing pieces are body language, eye contact, and tone of voice. They matter because those things help us connect with another person. Sometimes, when someone is behind a keyboard and can't see the other person, they type things they wouldn't say to someone's face. Also, hearing someone's voice and seeing their body language can help us understand how they feel in a way letters on a screen can't. That means we have to be extra clear (and kind) when we chat online.
Body language
Jokes
Instructions
Help
Eye contact
Encouragement
Compliments
Tone of voice