Tweens now spend over five hours a day on screen media, with nearly one in two teens reporting they are online "almost constantly" (Common Sense Media, 2021; Pew Research Center, 2024). This means students' digital identities are taking shape earlier than ever - often without guidance, structure, or reflection. As educators, we are in a powerful position to help them build habits that are thoughtful, respectful, and safe.

This professional learning module gives you the tools to respond with purpose. Through three focused lessons - digital responsibility, ethical technology use, and social media literacy - you'll explore research-based strategies, real classroom applications, and practical reflection prompts. The goal: help your students become not just users of technology, but responsible digital citizens who can think critically and act respectfully in connected spaces.

This module includes ready-to-use reflection prompts, classroom activities, and tools for navigating real-world digital behaviors. By equipping teachers with clear language, instructional examples, and support materials, this PLM empowers educators to lead meaningful conversations about digital responsibility, ethical technology use, and social media literacy in today's classrooms. 

Adapted by Gennifer Hampson from ISTE's DigCit Competencies (n.d.) framework.