Digital Citizenship

GOAL Academy is a certified Common Sense Education School. This certification signals that a participating school provides ongoing student instruction on digital citizenship topics, provides outreach to parents, and teachers participate in continuing education on digital citizenship topics, among other requirements.

Technology is everywhere. It's crucial for parents/guardians to guide their children in developing good digital citizenship skills. Here are some things to consider as you help your child navigate the digital world safely and responsibly.

What is Digital Citizenship?

Digital citizenship refers to the responsible and ethical use of technology and online resources. For middle and high school students, this involves learning how to:

Use the internet and digital devices safely
Interact respectfully with others online
Protect personal information
Think critically about online content
Balance screen time with other activities

Key Digital Citizenship Topics for Families

Online Safety

Teach your child about password protection and the importance of keeping their accounts secure.
Discuss what information is safe to share online and what should be kept private.
Set up parental controls on devices and review privacy settings together.

Respectful and Kind Online Behavior

Encourage empathy and kindness in online interactions.
Discuss the impact of cyberbullying and how to respond if they encounter it.
Model good digital citizenship in your own online activities.

Information and Media Literacy

Help your child learn to identify credible sources of information online.
Teach them to think critically about the content they see and share.
Discuss the concept of digital footprints and how online actions can have long-lasting effects.

Screen Time Balance

Set clear guidelines for device usage and screen time limits.
Encourage a healthy balance between online and offline activities.
Create tech-free zones or times in your home, such as during meals or before bedtime.

Digital Citizenship Resources for Parents/Guardians

There are many excellent resources available to help parents know where to begin in family conversations about digital citizenship. You can also find information from device manufacturers and from some online applications (like video games) on how to set parental controls.

Parent Blocksi. Bradley County Schools offers Blocksi for parents to use in monitoring and restricting school-owned Chromebooks after hours. It's possible to set restrictions on times of allowed use, block/allow websites, view a child's online history (including YouTube videos, sites accessed, and much more). Request access to Parent Blocksi here.
Common Sense Media: Find all the digital citizenship curriculum and resources that you could possibly want. Also find reviews for games, movies, books, and more! Click here to visit Common Sense Media!

Ongoing Conversations

Remember that digital citizenship education is an ongoing process and frequently talk with your children about their online experiences. Conversations can be easier to have in a judgment-free environment where kids feel comfortable coming to you with questions, concerns, and even tough/scary problems. By actively engaging in your child's digital life and teaching them good digital citizenship skills, you're setting them up for success in our increasingly connected world. Stay informed. Continue to be involved.

More Resources:

Bradley County Schools Digital Citizenship Week Resources: https://sites.google.com/bradleyschools.org/bcs-digital-citizenship-week
5 Awesome Resources for Learning About Digital Citizenship: https://iste.org/blog/5-awesome-resources-for-learning-about-digital-citizenship