A good citizen is someone who helps make their community a better place. They follow rules, are kind to others, and take care of their surroundings. Good citizens also help people in need and work together to solve problems. By being a good citizen, you can make your school, neighborhood, and the world a happier and safer place for everyone!

Today, beginning at a very young age, we start to engage in not just our local community, but also in our digital community. It is just as important to learn to be a good citizen in this digital environment. Digital citizenship helps students learn how to use technology responsibly and respectfully, both at school and at home. It teaches them to stay safe online, understand the impact of their digital footprint, and interact positively with others. By practicing good digital citizenship, our students can navigate the online world with confidence and integrity, ensuring a safer and more respectful digital environment for everyone.

Here are some tips for helping your child grow into a good digital citizen:

• Digital citizens are safe- We teach students to stick to sites that are meant for them, to protect their personal information (like their full name, birthday, address, school, etc.), to not meet face to face with people that they meet online, and most of all to listen to their gut and to tell a trusted adult in their life if they find something online that makes them feel sad, scared, or confused. 

• Digital citizens are balanced- Technology is great for so many things. But, it is important to leave time for unplugged activities, especially those that involve other people. We teach students to use appropriate technology at appropriate times. For example, reading a story on their tablet is a great activity, but it wouldn't be appropriate for them to read on their tablet when they are supposed to be sleeping. 

• Digital citizens show respect- It is important for students to communicate about themselves and to others with kindness and respect whether they are using text, emojis, pictures, gifs, videos, or some other form of communication. It is also important to remember that anything that we say or do online, is permanent and can never truly be erased. If good digital citizens see cyberbullying happening, it is important to report it or tell an adult. 

• Digital citizens stay informed- Not everything we read or see online is true or tells the whole story. It is important to use sources that you can trust for important information and to recognize that most sources will have some level of bias that influences how they tell the story. 

How do you model or encourage good digital citizenship in your home?