Digital Citizenship

Living and working in the 21st century requires online responsibility that has not existed for previous generations. The online world contains a wealth of information accessible immediately. Having access to such a wealth of information requires responsibility to use that information as it was intended. Greenville County Schools teach internet safety and digital citizenship as part of the curriculum for students. Students must learn how to be good citizens in the online world, just like they must learn to be good citizens in the real world. Parents are encouraged to sign digital contracts with their students and to define expectations for how they want their children to behave online.

Digital Citizenship Responsibilities for Teachers

Teachers will discuss school district policies with students each year so students understand expectations.
Teachers will monitor students’ online behavior.
Teachers will provide guidance and instruction for students actively involved in the global community.
Teachers will model and hold high expectations for students while sharing and gathering information online.

Digital Citizenship Responsibilities for Parents

Discuss appropriate behavior and practices for technological devices including cellphones.
Closely monitor student online usage for appropriate viewing and sharing of digital information.
Navigate and become familiar with protection measures available to keep your child safe.
Do not rely on computer filters to keep your child safe.
Be aware of what your child is doing on the computer.

Digital Citizenship for Students

I will respect myself.

I will post and view information that is appropriate.
I will not visit sites that are inappropriate.
I will use my device for learning.

I will protect myself.

I will never publish personal details of my life online.
I will never publish personal details of others online.
I will always lock or shut down and secure my device.
I will never share my passwords with others.
I will not attempt to bypass school filters to access content that is blocked by the district.

I will respect others at all times.

I will not bully or harass other people online.

I will protect others.

I will be a good digital citizen and report cyberbullying to an adult.
I will talk to an adult anytime something online makes me uncomfortable.

I will respect the intellectual property of others.

I will not plagiarize or copy information.
I will cite all websites, books, media, etc., that I use in projects and presentations.
I will not illegally download music, videos, or other items.

Email Access

Learning how to communicate electronically is an important skill in the world in which we live. All GCS students in Greenville County in grades 3-12 are provided with email accounts. These email accounts may be used to communicate with parents, teachers and students. Students are expected to conduct all communication responsibly and respectfully.

Internet Access

The device your student will be issued has Internet access. Students will connect to the school’s Internet wirelessly. Students are able to connect to home and public wireless access points as well after Authenticating. Parents are asked not to change the Internet settings since this may prevent students from getting online at school. Devices should connect to home wireless networks without changing the settings.

Internet Filtering

All school issued devices contain filters to protect students when they are browsing online. Student devices are filtered while students are at home, in public and at school. No filter can block out 100% of inappropriate content so parents are urged to monitor student use.

Expectation of Privacy

The devices students have been issued are the property of Greenville County Schools and are not subject to the same privacy expectations as private property.

While at School

Teachers and administrators may remotely view and control laptops while in class.
Teachers and administrators may search the device for inappropriate material.
Education Technology Services will have the ability to remotely troubleshoot devices.
Administrators and Education Technology Services may collect devices in order to install software.

While Outside the School

All Internet traffic will pass through the Greenville County Schools’ web filters.
Devices connected to the network will receive antivirus and security updates.
Greenville County Schools will not access the device’s web camera.
Restrictions on the device will block students from accessing certain parts of the device or changing certain parts of the device. Any attempt to override these blocks will result in disciplinary action.