Cyber Chip

Posted on February 25, 2020 by admin

Today’s youth are spending more time than ever using digital media for education, research, socializing, and fun. To help families and volunteers keep youth safe while online, the Boy Scouts of America created the Cyber Chip Award. To develop this important tool for internet safety, the BSA teamed up with content expert NetSmartz®, part of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children® and training expert for many law enforcement agencies.

Cyber Chip is REQUIRED for the ranks of Scout & Star, and for some merit badges. It is recommended that every Scout maintain a current Cyber Chip card every year.

Cyber Chip is AGE / GRADE SPECIFIC and is valid for one year from date of earning it. You must earn the Cyber Chip for each grade level, then in subsequent years of the same grade level, you may ‘recharge’ your card for another year.

Cyber Chip for Grades 6-8

Req 1 – Will be completed during meeting with Mr. Japhet or Mr. Mandio. Read and sign the Level II Internet Safety Pledge on the BSA Cyber Chip Card.
Req 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. Complete with your parents, here is a sample contract that can be edited.
Req 3 – Watch the video “Friend or Fake ,” along with two additional videos of your choosing from the list below, to see how friends can help each other to stay safe online.
Req 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 may use one of the mini activities, (download or via link on netsmartz page), and 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. Schedule this with your PL or the SPL and it may be done as a group if 2 or 3 Scouts want to work together, so long as everyone participates in the teaching. Please have an ASM attend your teaching session, they can assist you if needed with your teaching and using the E.D.G.E. method.
Req 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.
Once you have completed requirements 2-4, meet with Mr. Japhet or Mr. Mandio to review them and complete requirements 1 & 5. Both you and the Leader will sign your Cyberchip Card, which will then be presented back to you at closing circle.

Cyber Chip for Grades 9-12

Req 1 – Will be completed during meeting with Mr. Japhet or Mr. Mandio. Read and sign the Level II Internet Safety Pledge on the BSA Cyber Chip Card.
Req 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. Complete with your parents, here is a sample contract that can be edited.
Req 3 – Discuss with your parents the benefits and potential dangers teenagers might experience when using social media. Be ready to summarize conversation for Mr. Japhet or Mr. Mandio, give examples of each, (benefits and dangers).
Req 4 – Watch three of the following Real-Life Story” videos to learn the impact on teens.
Req 5 – 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. Schedule this with your PL or the SPL and it may be done as a group if 2 or 3 Scouts want to work together, so long as everyone participates in the teaching. Please have an ASM attend your teaching session, they can assist you if needed with your teaching and using the E.D.G.E. method.
Req 6 – 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.
Once you have completed requirements 2-5, meet with Mr. Japhet or Mr. Mandio to review them and complete requirements 1 & 6. Both you and the Leader will sign your Cyberchip Card, which will then be presented back to you at closing circle.

‘Recharging’ your Cyber Chip

Follow this link to Netsmartz to recharge your Cyber Chip card.
Click on the ‘Video’ menu (top of the page)
Click on the ‘Middle & High School’ menu (bottom of the page) to get you to the correct videos.
Watch two (2) videos that you have not already watched.
Bring your current/expired Cyber Chip card and meet with Mr. Japhet or Mr. Mandio to review internet safety, the videos you watched, and troop electronics policy. After which they will sign and put new recharge date on your card.

New Scouts, still in 5th Grade
A transitioning Webelos Scout who holds an unexpired Cyber Chip card for his current school grade has fulfilled this portion of the Scout rank requirement as part of the Webelos “Scouting Adventure.”

If his Cyber Chip card is currently valid, he should meet with Mr. Japhet or Mr. Mandio to simply demonstrate his knowledge. This is not a retest. If, however, the Scout has not grasped these concepts, they may be reviewed (based on Cyber Chip requirements for 5th grade) to ensure understanding.
If a new Scout’s Cyber Chip card for his current grade has expired, he simply needs to “recharge” the chip by following the instructions above for ‘Recharging’ but click on the ‘Elementary’ menu for the proper videos.