Technology and navigating the digital landscape is a daily part of our students’ lives. Helping them understand digital citizenship and the responsible use of technology is essential to equipping our children with the skills and knowledge to thrive in this digital age while staying safe and responsible online. As our partners in your child’s education, the District’s Education Technology Team has compiled the following resources for parents and families.
What is Digital Citizenship and Why it Matters
When many people think of digital citizenship, they often associate it with online bullying or the increasing spread of social media hoaxes and rumors. While that is certainly a part of it, digital citizenship also encompasses a wide range of topics and behaviors, including:
- Online Safety: Knowing how to protect personal information, recognizing scams, and avoiding online predators.
- Digital Etiquette: Practicing kindness and communicating respectfully, avoiding cyberbullying, and understanding the impact of online actions, including spreading rumors and embarrassing content.
- Media Literacy: Learning how to critically evaluate online information, recognizing bias, and accessing digital content responsibly.
- Digital Footprint: Understanding that anything posted online is permanent and how to build a positive online presence.
- Copyright and Plagiarism: Respect intellectual property and use online content ethically, including proper source citation.
Tips for Parents
Do you know what social media sites and platforms your kids are using and who they are communicating with online? Have you set clear expectations and guidelines for your children and taught them about cyber safety? The following are quick tips and resources to help parents and families support digital citizenship and online safety. Please take a moment to review this important information.
- Ask questions about their favorite apps, games, and websites to understand their digital world.
- Discuss the potential risks of online interactions, such as chatting with strangers or sharing personal information.
- Use parental control tools to monitor activity and set appropriate limits on screen time.
- Create a family technology agreement that outlines screen time limits and rules for using devices during family time or before bed.
- Set guidelines for what is acceptable to share, including personal information, photos, and location data.
- Establish consequences for not adhering to family rules regarding digital behavior.
- Limit your screen time and prioritize face-to-face interactions during family meals or activities.
- Avoid using your phone in inappropriate situations, such as driving or during family conversations.
- Model respect online by avoiding negative comments or arguments on social media.
- Review app ratings and online safety reviews on platforms like Common Sense Media before allowing new downloads.
- Explore online safety resources together to learn about privacy settings and protecting personal information.
- Share educational content that promotes healthy digital behavior and critical thinking.
- Encourage discussions about the credibility of websites and the reliability of sources.
- Help your child identify red flags for phishing, scams, and misinformation.
- Create a habit of questioning and verifying information before accepting it as true or sharing it further.
- Discuss the impact of cyberbullying and how hurtful comments can affect others. Discuss how spreading rumors, misinformation, or embarrassing content can create fear, anxiety, and bullying.
- Promote a “think before you post” mindset by asking them to consider how their words and actions might be received and that online content is permanent.
- Encourage kindness by asking your child to respond positively to others and support peers who are targets of negative behavior.
- Show them how to report bullying or inappropriate content on various platforms.
- Teach them to seek help by talking to a parent, teacher, or trusted adult when they witness or experience online harassment.
- Use IUSD’s Say Something Anonymous Reporting System to address any concerns or unsafe behaviors they encounter.
Partnering for Success
IUSD and our schools are committed to promoting digital citizenship through lessons in the classroom, activities on campuses, technology policies, and ongoing education. We encourage parents to partner with us by reinforcing these principles at home. Together, we can empower our students to be responsible, ethical, and successful digital citizens!
Resources
- Common Sense Media
- IUSD Digital Citizenship Resources
- Protecting Your Privacy and Online Security
- Social Media Cybersecurity Tip Sheet
- Blocksi (Website Monitoring Tool)
- How to Remove Personal Information from Web Searches
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