In Torrance Unified School District, we believe in the importance of building digital citizenship in our students from a young age. By working together, we can empower students to make responsible, safe, and respectful choices in their digital lives. Digital citizenship is not only essential for today’s connected world but is also a key component of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) standards.
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In today’s world, technology is an integral part of our students' daily lives. Teaching digital citizenship and responsible technology use is essential to equipping our students with the skills to navigate the digital landscape safely, responsibly, and ethically. In California, legislation like Assembly Bill 873 underscores the importance of preparing students for informed participation in digital spaces by integrating digital citizenship and media literacy education within K-12 schools. This law, along with other state and federal policies, highlights the responsibility of educators and families to ensure that students are well-prepared to engage critically with digital media and to stay safe online.
On this page, you’ll find family resources to support you in guiding your student in developing positive online habits. These resources are designed to help families understand topics like online safety, privacy, and digital responsibility, as well as to help children navigate the digital world confidently.
What is Digital Citizenship and Why it Matters
When people think of digital citizenship, they may often associate it with cyberbullying or the spread of misinformation. While these are significant aspects, digital citizenship encompasses much more, including:
Online Safety: Knowing how to protect personal information, recognize scams, and avoid online predators is foundational to student safety.
Digital Etiquette: Practicing kindness, communicating respectfully, and understanding the consequences of online actions—such as sharing rumors or harmful content—helps students build positive online interactions.
Critical Media Literacy: Being able to critically evaluate information, recognize bias, and responsibly access digital content are essential skills for becoming informed citizens. California's AB 873 supports this by encouraging schools to integrate media literacy into curriculum, helping students navigate today’s complex digital landscape.
Digital Footprint: Teaching students that their online actions create a lasting digital record and empowering them to build a positive and respectful online presence prepares them for the future.
Copyright and Plagiarism: Respecting intellectual property and using online content ethically, including proper citation, are key aspects of responsible digital citizenship.
📣Tips for Parents
As a parent, you play a vital role in supporting your child's journey to becoming a responsible digital citizen. Here are some tips to get started:
Stay Informed and Explore Resources Together: Know which social media sites and platforms your child uses and understand how they work. Check app ratings and online safety reviews on platforms like Common Sense Media before approving new downloads. Explore online safety resources with your child to understand privacy settings and strategies for protecting personal information. Share educational content that encourages healthy digital habits and critical thinking skills.
Set Clear Expectations: Discuss guidelines for online safety and digital behavior with your child. Clear expectations provide a foundation for safe and responsible tech use. Create a family technology agreement that outlines screen time limits and rules for device use during family time or before bed, with clear guidelines on sharing personal information, photos, and location data. Additionally, establish consequences for not following the family’s digital behavior expectations.
Foster Open Dialogue: Encourage your child to talk openly about their online experiences and teach them to approach digital content with a critical eye. Engage in conversations with your child about their favorite apps, games, and websites to better understand their digital world. Discuss potential risks, such as chatting with strangers or sharing personal information, and consider using parental control tools to monitor activity and set healthy screen time limits.
Teach Critical Thinking: Encourage conversations with your child about evaluating the credibility of websites and the reliability of sources. Help them recognize red flags for phishing, scams, and misinformation. Foster a habit of questioning and verifying information before accepting it as true or sharing it with others.
Emphasize Respect and Empathy: Talk with your child about the effects of cyberbullying and how hurtful comments can impact others, including the fear, anxiety, and bullying that can result from spreading rumors, misinformation, or embarrassing content. Promote a “think before you post” mindset by encouraging them to consider how their words and actions might be received and to remember that online content is permanent. Encourage kindness by asking your child to respond positively to others and support peers who may be targets of negative behavior.
Model Positive Behavior: Demonstrate respectful online interactions and responsible information sharing. Set an example by limiting your own screen time and prioritizing face-to-face interactions during family meals or activities. Avoid phone use in situations where it’s inappropriate, such as while driving or during family conversations, and demonstrate respectful online behavior by steering clear of negative comments or arguments on social media.
We invite all parents and families to review these essential resources. Together, we can support our students in becoming empowered and conscientious digital citizens.
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