Digital Citizenship & Internet Safety
Digital media and technology are evolving at a dizzying pace, both unlocking extraordinary opportunities and posing real risks for young people. Students are using the immense power of the Internet and mobile technology to explore, connect, create, and learn in ways never before imagined, both in and out of the classroom. But issues that emerge from this 24/7 "connected culture," such as cyberbullying, privacy lapses, and uncertainty about which information to trust online, are surfacing both in schools and at home.
We see these as teachable moments. We believe that digital citizenship skills have become essential for students. That's why our schools are dedicated to helping students think critically and use technology responsibly to learn, create, and participate.
The Parkland School District makes every effort to ensure a safe computing environment for our students. As mandated by the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA), web content filtering is provided on all student computers. Chromebooks assigned to students as part of Parkland Ready 21 are filtered even when taken home. However, sheltering students from inappropriate Internet sites is not the complete solution. The most effective filter is knowledge and parental involvement.
Below you will find some of the best online resources for students to learn good digital citizenship & internet safety practices, and for parents to recognize how they can play a role in their child's safety & success online.
Common Sense Education is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in a world of media and technology.
Parkland SD is a certified Common Sense District, an honor that recognizes our efforts in teaching digital citizenship to young people and engaging the entire community in this important discussion and supporting educators using technology for learning. The recognition acknowledges our district's’ commitment to providing safe and innovative spaces for students to thrive as they harness the full potential of technology for learning and life.
Noteworthy Common Sense Media Resources
- Digital Citizenship Curriculum - The Nearpod lessons our teachers use to teach digital citizenship content are based off these materials.
- Common Sense Parents Need to Know Blog - Featuring the "Parent's Ultimate Guide" series, and advice for parents on salient topics.
- Common Sense YouTube Channel - Featuring videos on current events, digital citizenship, news & media literacy, teaching strategies & more!
- Keeping Your Students (and yourself) Safe Online
Family Resources
- Grades K-5 Parent Toolkit
- Grades 6-8 Parent Toolkit
- Grades 9-12 Parent Toolkit
- Family Media Agreements
Social Media Guides & Resources
We thank the National School Public Relations Association for assembling the below Social Media resources.
Meta (Facebook and Instagram)
- Child Safety Hub on Facebook (website) Tools and resources to assist in efforts to help keep young people safe online.
- Family Center Hub on Instagram (website) Tools, insights and educational resources to help support teens’ Instagram journey.
- Instagram Guide for Parents (website)
- Knowledge builders for the tech part of parenting – Instagram (PDF)
- Family Digital Wellness Guide (PDF) Boston Children's Hospital Digital Wellness Lab
- Online Bullying Prevention Tips for Parents (PDF) International Bullying Prevention Association
- Get Digital (website) Resources for youth, parents and caregivers and educators
- Tips and talking points for the tech part of parenting (PDF)
- Parenting Tips for Social Media (website)
TikTok
- Guardian’s Guide to TikTok (website)
- Bullying Prevention on TikTok (website)
- TikTok's Top 10 Tips for Parents (website)
- Family Pairing Controls (website)
Snapchat
- Snapchat Family Center (website)
- Snapchat Parents and Educators Hub (website)
- A Parents & Guardians Guide to Snapchat (PDF)
YouTube
- Fostering Child Safety on YouTube (website)
- Parent Resources (website)
- Educator Resources (website)
- Staying Safe on YouTube as a Teen (website)
- Digital Citizenship Curriculum (website)
- Be Internet Awesome Family Guide (PDF) Spanish (PDF)
- Parental Controls (website)
- Safety and Security (website)
Other Resources for Digital Citizenship & Internet Safety
Infobase Learning Cloud
Parkland includes parents & guardians as part of our Parkland Learning Community through Infobase Learning Cloud, an online portal where users can see clips or full courses on a wide range of topics from Google Sheets to navigating the college application process. Infobase Learning Cloud has courses on internet safety, including Being Savvy Online and Digital Citizenship. They also have guides for parents on how to use social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, & Snapchat.
Connect Safely
Keep up on the latest trends and concerns around social media and their implications for online safety and privacy.
Digital Reputation Management
Many students are sharing large parts of their lives online, from their weekend plans to photos of their latest lunch. Right now, it may seem like you’re just chatting with friends, but what you’re really doing is laying the foundation for your online reputation. If the digital footprint you’re building now may last a lifetime, consider this: is it one you’ll be proud to share for the rest of your life? In more immediate terms, is your online persona one you’re willing to share with college admissions officers or future employers? If the answer is no, don’t panic. You’re not alone. Better yet, be prepared: there are steps you can take to build a positive online reputation while you’re still in high school.
FTC On Guard Online
Your privacy rights as set by government regulation, plus some very good advice for talking to kids about online safety (particularly an article names "Net Cetera" found in their Consumer Protection section).
Stay Safe Online
This website has some particularly valuable resources in the area of theft, fraud, & cybercrime, and on securing key accounts and devices.
Parents Guide to Securely Storing Data on Computers and Portable Devices