Ice Bucket Challenge Sponsors Family Discussion about Digital Citizenship

The ALS ice bucket challenge is a current phenomenon taking over social media pages and even family dinnertime conversations. I believe initiatives for raising awareness and funds for good causes are good ideas. The ice bucket challenge has definitely raised awareness of ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis – Lou Gehrig’s Disease) and increased funds for the ALS association. I also believe these types of initiatives provide important opportunities for conversations with our children about digital citizenship.  Our family was recently nominated to take the challenge. I do not wish to offend those nominating us or in any way suggest ALS is not a good cause, but we declined to take the challenge as a digital citizenship choice. In our house, this topic provided good conversation about charity donations, posting self-videos on the Internet and following the crowd.

1. Charity donations – MacAskill (2014) http:http://www.drbarbbrown.com/wp-content/uploadshttp://www.drbarbbrown.com/wp-content/uploadsqz.comhttp://www.drbarbbrown.com/wp-content/uploads249649http://www.drbarbbrown.com/wp-content/uploadsthe-cold-hard-truth-about-the-ice-bucket-challengehttp://www.drbarbbrown.com/wp-content/uploads discusses the idea that most individuals are limited in how much they donate yearly.  As such, charity donations need to be thoughtful.  So, as a family it is important to discuss how donations will be made throughout the year. For example, we have friends that have two children with a rare form of Muscular Dystrophy. This gradually progressive disease means these children are not able to walk and experience many physical and medical challenges. We support the Walk for Muscular Dystrophy and hope for increased research and medical advances to help those afflicted by Muscular Dystrophy to enjoy quality of life. We also donate to many other charities to support family and friends experiencing various medical challenges, such as Cystic Fibrosis, Cerebral Palsy, Diabetes, Heart and Stroke, Cancer, to name a few.  We are selective in the charities we donate and pay close attention the amount that goes to administrative fees.  In our home the ice bucket challenge has definitely increased attention to ALS and other charities.  Hopefully the increased funds going to one organization do not limit or reduce funds going to others.
2. Posting videos on the Internet – We also discussed the idea of posting videos of yourself on the Internet.  Many family, friends and even well-known celebrities are posting videos and making their ice bucket challenge visible in online spaces. We discussed the importance of carefully selecting the type of photos and videos posted on the Internet and to consider the attire you might be wearing in the video.
3. Following the crowd – Similar to the idea in chain letters, those taking the challenge, nominate three more individuals to take the challenge. It is so easy to become enamored with an idea because so many people are involved and participating in the challenge. Since _____ is doing this, then it must be a good thing and I should do this too.  We want our children to make informed choices and make decisions themselves.  We also want our children to take risks and go against the status quo.  So, I believe the ice bucket challenge is a good opportunity to have an open discussion with your children about the choice of either participating in the challenge or declining the challenge.
   
   Some other posts to consider:

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   The cold, hard truth about the ice bucket challenge

   Post written by MacAskill (Aug 14, 2014)

    

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   ALS ice bucket challenge: Do you know what you are supporting?

   (August 24, 2014)