2026 Registration Page

We are excited to bring middle school and high school students and their teachers together in person this year for the Nebraska Digital Citizenship Symposium!  We can't wait to see you at one of the following 6 ESUs on October 6!  You may choose any of the locations for participation in person, even if it isn't your ESU. Use the corresponding Registration Link for the location of your choice!

There is a small fee to cover lunch and materials. Your district will be billed $120 per team of 6, or $20 per person if you intend to bring more than six.

Agenda (draft) -- all times in Central Time

9:45 - 10:00 Arrival/Check-in

10:00 opening remarks

10:10 Kristen Mattson presentation

Lunch (Time TBD by hosting ESU)

Afternoon: Create, Collaborate, and Call to Action facilitated by ESU staff and Dr. Mattson

"Ever feel like your feed knows you better than you know yourself or like your phone is secretly pulling the strings? In a world where digital platforms are built to keep us scrolling, it can be hard to tell where the technology ends and our own choices begin. Who is really in control?

In this interactive workshop, we’ll look behind the screen to uncover the subtle, yet powerful, forces shaping our daily lives. Beyond the familiar pressure of chasing "likes," we’ll explore how creator bias, addictive app design, and amplified social constructs warp our view of reality. We'll also take a critical look at modern tools shaping our thinking: from algorithmic filter bubbles that keep us trapped in echo chambers, to AI sycophancy - where generative AI tools flatter us and reflect back exactly what we want to hear.

Together, we will examine:

The Illusion of Choice: How notification loops, infinite scrolls, and algorithmic nudges make decisions for us before we even realize it.

Curated Realities: How creator bias and amplified online trends distort how we view society, shape social pressure, and alter how we feel about ourselves.

Echoes & Algorithms: Why filter bubbles limit our perspective and how AI tools reinforce our existing beliefs instead of challenging us to grow.

Reclaiming Your Agency: Practical, mindful habits to help you see through the design tricks, resist the online pressure, and move through the digital world on your own terms.

You’ll walk away with a clearer view of the invisible code shaping your world, and the power to fill in the blank for yourself."

Dr. Kristen Mattson