Common Sense Media has declared Oct. 21-25 as National Digital Citizenship Week to teach students about being safe and smart online. Maine educators are invited to engage students in grade-appropriate lessons about what it means to be online, which may help students identify and stand up to cyberbullying.
In partnership with national education organizations, school districts, state departments of education and education technology groups, Common Sense Media is raising awareness of the need to teach kids digital literacy and citizenship skills – and providing the free resources to achieve it. Digital Citizenship Week allows teachers to educate students on issues such as privacy and security; relationships and communication; digital footprints and reputation; self-image and identity; and creative credit and copyright.
Digital citizenship education empowers students to make thoughtful decisions and develop a sound digital foundation for the rest of their lives. It’s a positive approach to helping students learn how to be safe and secure, as well as effective participants in a digital world. That means helping them understand their rights and responsibilities, recognize the benefits and risks, and realize the personal and ethical implications of their actions. Helping a student become a good digital citizen cuts across all curricular disciplines.
“Media and technology present so many great opportunities for today’s kids to explore, discover, connect and create,” said Rebecca Randall, vice president of education programs at Common Sense Media. “Digital Citizenship Week is an opportunity to engage the whole community – teachers, parents and students – in maximizing the benefits of growing up in a digital world and limiting the potential downsides.”
Throughout the week, which falls during Connected Educators Month and National Bullying Prevention Month, Common Sense Media experts will participate in local events and webinars as well as lead a webinar on EdWeb.net to launch a new professional-learning community focused on digital citizenship. The webinar, “Empowering Students to Be Digital Citizens,” will take place Oct. 24 at 4 p.m.
Resources and more information
- National Digital Citizenship Week
- Crista Sumanik
Common Sense Media
415-553-6780
csumanik@commonsense.org