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Cyber Chip: Pack Technology Policy

Cyber Chip Pack Technology Policy

Note: As of the 2022-2023 program year, the Cyber Chip is no longer a Cub Scout rank requirement. This information is being retained for reference.

The Cub Scout Cyber Chip is the Boy Scouts of America's online internet safety program. Just like the Whittling Chip teaches the Scouts how to safely use a pocketknife, the Cyber Chip teaches them how to safely use the internet.

The BSA feels so strongly about internet safety that the Cub Scouts must complete the Cyber Chip in order to earn their rank badge. Lion and Bobcat are the only ranks that don't require it.

The Cyber Chip requirements vary by grade. The first through third graders have one set of requirements that differs from the fourth and fifth grade set. One of the key differences is that the older Scouts must discuss acceptable usage of electronics at Scouting events. 

Here is the requirement in its entirety: 

Cyber Chip Requirement 4:  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.

A Cub Scout friend and I were talking about this, and we realized that in order for the Scouts to discuss “acceptable standards and practices,” they needed to know what those are.  

There was only one little problem. We didn't know what those were either because we had never defined them.

I decided to take a stab at writing something that I called our Pack Technology Policy. Fancy title for when you can use electronics.  🙂

After consulting with our pack committee and leaders and making changes that they recommended, this is the final policy that was adopted by our pack.

Pack Technology Policy

Cub Scouts should not use electronic devices at Cub Scout meetings and events unless the activity requires the use of them. An example would be using the GPS or an app on a smartphone to go geocaching.

Recognizing that Cub Scout-aged children are influenced by the behavior of adults, use of electronics by adults is discouraged at Cub Scout meetings and events unless the activity requires the use of them or unless the adult is taking pictures of the event.

We understand that many adults have jobs that require them to take phone calls or check email. There may also be other circumstances in which the use of an electronic device is necessary during Cub Scout events. We ask that if you need to use your device during a meeting, event, or a campout, please step away from the children's view to do so.

Many of our Cub Scout leaders have younger children who attend Cub Scout meetings. The younger children may use electronics to keep them occupied while their parents and older siblings participate in the Cub Scout activity.

Using technology in Cub Scouting can be appropriate in the right situation, but we want to help the Scouts learn that they can have fun even without it.

Feel free to use this as a starting point for your pack's policy. You can download your copy by filling out this quick form below to download it.

If you already have a technology policy in your pack, I would love to hear what it includes.  Leave a comment and let me know!

Yours in Scouting,
Sherry

P.S. Find out more about the Cyber Chip by reading this post.

Cub Scout Cyber Chip Requirements for Each Rank

Saturday 23rd of February 2019

[…] Find out what I learned about the Webelos Cyber Chip Teachable Recipes and get a copy of my pack’s technology policy which defines the acceptable standards and practices for electronic devices. […]

Chupacabra

Saturday 7th of May 2016

Well, earning the Cyber Chip requires knowing the unit s acceptable use policy. So, a unit must have one, as this example unit does. So, what exactly is the problem?

Sherry

Monday 20th of June 2016

I'm not sure I understand your question.

Frank Samuels

Tuesday 22nd of March 2016

http://boyscouttrail.com/content/award/tech_chip-2052.asp is similar for a troop, but probably packs too.

Sherry

Monday 20th of June 2016

Actually, the Cyber Chip is the official award from BSA. If you look at this page (http://www.scouting.org/cyberchip.aspx), you'll find Cyber Chip requirements for all grades--1st through 12th.

It looks like the one that you linked was created by a troop. It covers some good topics, but I believe that this Cyber Chip requirement covers them too. "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."

Thanks for your input!