Digital Citizenship & Internet Safety

what is digital citizenship

Digital Citizenship is a concept which helps teachers, technology leaders and parents understand what students should know to use technology appropriately. With the growth of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) and 1:1 initiatives in schools there is a need to talk about responsible use of technology. Digital Citizenship is more than just a teaching tool; it is a way to prepare students/technology users for a society full of technology.

Digital citizenship refers to the ability to think critically, behave safely, and participate responsibly in our digital world. Too often we are seeing students as well as adults misusing and abusing technology but not sure what to do. The issue is more than what the users do not know but what is considered appropriate technology usage.

These skills are essential for students/technology users to harness the full potential of technology for learning and for college and career readiness.

DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP resources

CyberWise: Digital Citizenship - No Parent Left Behind! Online Safety Education for Parents and Teachers
ISTE Standards for Students, Teachers, Administrators
NetSmartz - Teacher Resources for Digital Citizenship
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) - Rockville, Maryland
- MCPS Cybercivility and CyberSafety webpage
- MCPS article on Cybercivility (task force to devise strategies for stemming inappropriate behavior online)
- MCPS CyberSafety brochure
ConnectSafely.org Parent Guides and Safety Tips
- Parent Guides
- Safety Tips
Childnet International Safety Resources & Checklists for Social Networks
Common Sense Media - Digital Citizenship Classroom Posters
- Download a PDF poster below
Sammy's Guide to Internet Safety Sponsored by AT&T
Online Safety for Children and Teens: A Comprehensive Guide to Staying Safe Online

TEN (10) INTERNET SAFETY RULES TO TEACH CHILDREN BEFORE THEY GO ONLINE

The Internet can be an excellent resource for kids. However, the freedom and accessibility that make it so useful can also be the source of hidden dangers. Hence, just as we exercise caution with the ‘real world’ environments that we allow our children to visit, the Internet should be regarded with a healthy dose of vigilance and awareness.

The infographic provided by Pumpic Mobile Monitoring has 10 guiding principles aims to ensure your child is both safe and responsible online. The Internet needn’t be a dangerous place if treated with caution and respect.

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Download Infograph