Digital Citizenship & Research
What is Digital Citizenship?
Why are schools across the country integrating Digital Citizenship Skills into their curriculum? Common Sense Education has produced several case studies in the United States that demonstrate what happens when we teach students and their families to take control of their digital lives.
The ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) defines Digital Citizenship as:
Digital citizenship is about much more than online safety — or a long list of don’ts. It’s also about the do’s that help create thoughtful, empathetic digital citizens who can wrestle with the important ethical questions at the intersection of technology and humanity.
Those do’s include:
Using technology to make your community better.
Engaging respectfully online with people who have different beliefs than you.
Using technology to make your voice heard by public leaders and to shape public policy.
Determining the validity of online sources of information.
This new lens focuses on empowering learners to be in community with others in online spaces and showing them that digital citizenship goes beyond conversations about personal responsibility. It’s about being active citizens who see possibilities instead of problems and opportunities instead of risks as they curate a positive and effective digital footprint.
The 6 Core Topics of Digital Citizenship
Media Balance & Well-Being
Students go beyond screen time to explore the impact their digital lives can have on their well-being and relationships while learning to balance media in their everyday lives.
Privacy & Security
Students learn how to protect personal information and gain a deeper understanding of their data privacy rights so they can advocate for themselves and others.
Digital Footprint & Identity
Students consider the benefits and risks of online sharing and explore how a digital persona can affect one's sense of self, reputation, and relationships.
Relationships & Communication
Students reflect on how to build positive relationships, avoid risky online talk, and understand why some topics and conversations can best lend themselves to certain mediums.
Cyberbullying, Digital Drama, & Hate Speech
Students take on these tough topics and play the active role of upstander to build positive, supportive online communities and combat online cruelty.
News & Media Literacy
Students identify credible and trustworthy information sources and reflect on their responsibilities as thoughtful media creators and consumers.