Parental Involvement

In the digital world we live in, classrooms are no longer contained by four walls. Students’ online behavior at school affects behavior at home and behavior outside of school influences the school environment. For example, bullying may not just take place on school grounds, but online and outside of school. Often, parents seek help from the school to deal with issues such as cyberbullying.

Parent education is an important part of digital citizenship. For many parents, the digital world their students interact in is very foreign. Even for parents who are comfortable in a digital environment need information to help them understand what their children are doing online, how to manage their children’s digital media, and how manage quality programs and avoid risky behavior and sites.

Involving parents in digital citizenship - commonsensemedia video

Tips for helping parents:

• Provide parents a Family Media Agreement that helps start set expectations with their children for safe and responsible use. (See links below)
• Hand out parent tip sheets that accompany what kids are learning in school
• Send or post videos to educate parents about cyberbullying, digital footprints, plagiarism, etc.
• Post information for parents on classroom page, school's page, or send through the school newsletter