Digital Citizenship: Guidance for Technology Use

Developing safe, responsible and ethical digital citizens

Virginia legislation requires schools to include a component on internet safety for students in the division's acceptable internet use policies and integrated within the instructional programs.

VDOE Internet Safety information

What is Digital Citizenship?

Digital Citizenship is the ability to use technology responsibly, safely, and respectfully.  It includes the ability to think critically and practice healthy online habits.

FCPS uses Common Sense Education Digital Literacy Curriculum. Common Sense partners with Project Zero at the Harvard Graduate School of Education to develop the curriculum. They use research from thousands of educators to inform their work. Each digital citizenship lesson takes on real challenges that students face today. They give students the skills they need to succeed as digital learners and citizens.

Read about the research behind the curriculum

Current topics include:

  • Healthy Habits
  • Privacy and Safety
  • Digital Footprint and Identity
  • Relationships and Communication
  • Cyberbullying and Online Harms
  • Information and Media Literacy

In my observations, becoming a common sense school has brought to the surface significant aspects of our lives. We are all in the middle of a transition, one that has (and will) continue to change the fabric of our daily lives.
The work we have done over the past 3 years has raised the profile on these important topics. Students are much more aware of the issues related to digital citizenship and have begun to incorporate aspects of this work independently.
Becoming a common sense school provide our stakeholders with the tools & training needed to ensure they they have a positive digital presence. This ensures that they will have all future opportunities available by being positive digital citizens.
A team of student leaders from our Middle school and the high school we feed has opened the path for leadership opportunities related to this topic. Parents are increasingly aware of the resources available to help them & our teachers are more aware.
Our school committed to becoming a Common Sense School to ensure our students learn the skills they to be responsible and ethical users of technology.
Implementing this program into our school has provided the opportunity to bring digital awareness and resources to all stakeholders on the use of digital citizenship principles at school, as well as at home.
Our students have gained the essential digital citizenship skills they need to safely learn and navigate in a digital world.
Becoming a Common Sense School has shown our students the commitment we have to become responsible digital citizens. Our parents/caregivers also see it as important since we have spent time covering it & the students talk about it at home.
Our school has embraced 21st Century learning & the importance of digital citizenship, which has had a positive affect on our culture. Using lessons has sparked conversations, which are a valuable tool we have used to connect responsibility & tech.
The process has made our school community more aware of the importance of ethical and responsible online involvement and has provided the foundation for our future transition into a 1:1 school. The lessons have set the stage for future conversations.
By making digital citizenship an ongoing priority in our school, students are learning to use their devices more responsibly, as tools for learning. Some teachers have seen the benefit of the digital citizenship lessons so much they are teaching more.
Parents can be confident that students are learning appropriate digital citizenship skills, and know that our staff has the knowledge to support students with digital citizenship and 21st Century skills.
Becoming a Common Sense School has helped us to build and promote a shared responsibility between home and school for our students. It has open the door for communication for our community.
Becoming a Common Sense School has helped our students by providing them with the resources they need to become responsible digital citizens. The school-wide lessons helps our students acquire FCPS Portrait of a Graduate Skills.
Becoming a Common Sense school has increased parents awareness, engagement, & participation with digital citizenship topics. It has now created a culture in our school where there is digital action & allows for our students to become digital leaders.
Focusing on digital citizenship has given our students an awareness that they had not previously considered. Our seniors in particular are much more aware of what they can do to help stop certain issues that arise, such as hate speech.
As a school, we've also helped our community become more critical of information they encounter. In our journey towards 1:1 devices for students, it was important for us to take this step first to help all parties feel prepared for the journey.
Becoming a Common Sense School has created common vocabulary among all stakeholders as well as opened lines of communication about different strategies to stay safe digitally.
Our District uses a Shared Responsibility Model of Digital Citizenship to help students learn to use technology safely, responsibly, and ethically. The Common Sense School recognition requirements matched perfectly with this model.
Practicing safety, responsibility, and respect online is extremely vital. Students have gained a broader understanding of whatever they do online can have an impact on themselves and other people.
After hosting a Digital Citizenship Parent Night, parents were able to comprehend their essential role of working together with their child. Overall, by students, teachers, & parents working together; we know it takes a Shared Responsibility.
Becoming a Common Sense School really fits into the Fairfax County Public Schools Portrait of a Graduate Framework. It encourages them to be positive communicators and collaborators as well as global and ethical citizens in a digital world.
Parents were excited to become more educated on the tools the website provided and have a space to talk about technological challenges presented to them as caregivers.
Parents were excited to become more educated on the tools the website provided and have a space to talk about technological challenges presented to them as caregivers.
Digital Citizenship is so important. I think we have an advantage in working with younger students because these skills need to be taught early & often. We feel like teaching Digcit is a shared responsibility between students, staff & parents.
The Digital Bytes lessons resonated with our students who are very college-oriented, especially the College Bound lesson, it was very timely & relevant, as it occurred right after the college cheating news story, & students were engaged.
Common Sense Media has provided us with wonderful resources to use with our students, teachers, and parents. We've benefited from the lesson plans, digital compass games, reviews, and parent resources.
Teachers and parents needed guidance and direction with handling screen time, cyberbullying, creating strong passwords and many other situations. Common Sense Media has been the number one resource used by our school.
While Digital Citizenship education needs to be ongoing, students at our school this year seem to be more aware of what being a digital citizen means. Parents are actively involved and often asking for guidance and family resources.
It has allowed our staff to find some common language for what digital citizenship is. We have required all grades, not just three of them, to teach three digital citizenship lessons this year & had grade-level discussions as to what our needs were.
We also got feedback from all stakeholders, so this is the first time it really felt like a community effort to tackle digital citizenship and that everyone had a role.
Becoming a Common Sense School allows our students, staff and community to take pride in continuing to work and communicate safely online and promotes pride in being good digital citizens.
Our school has embarked on this dig cit journey with a strong support system from our county and families, helping us grow as an empathetic and ethical school community.
This year, we began a holistic program of digital citizenship & made greater use of Common Sense curricular & family resources. Through Dig Cit Week & a digital learning event, we applied a “shared responsibility” approach.
Our school has embarked on this dig cit journey with a strong support system from our county and families, helping us grow as an empathetic and ethical school community.
I think the biggest impact was giving parents & teachers a consistent place to research the quality & content of various digital resources. We got feedback from different sources who said they used the Common Sense website to make informed decisions.

Shared Responsibility Model for Digital Citizenship

"The past decade has seen an exponential increase in digital tools and opportunities, which carry the need for students to master a new set of life skills for behaving safely, ethically and responsibly online.   Students are much more likely to understand good digital citizenship — the norms of appropriate, responsible technology use — when teachers and parents/trusted adults model it and explicitly teach and promote it on a regular basis."

-Helen Crompton, Know the ISTE Standards for Teachers: Model Digital Citizenship

FCPS believes that using technology safely and respectfully is a shared responsibility. Teachers, parents, and students all work together to help students learn good digital habits. This guide explains what each group can do to support safe, responsible, and ethical use of technology.

Students will:

  • Learn Together: Work with your parents and teachers to understand how technology helps with learning, college, and future jobs.
  • Be Kind and Responsible: Use technology in a way that shows care, honesty, and responsibility to yourself, others, and your community.
  • Stay Safe Online: Use technology safely and respectfully at all times.
  • Know Your Rights and Rules: Learn about your rights and follow the rules in the FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities.
  • Follow School Policies: Use school devices and networks according to the FCPS Acceptable Use Policy.
    Respect Home Rules: Follow the technology rules set by your parents or caregivers at home.

Instructional staff will:

  • Work as a Team: Collaborate with school leaders and parents to quickly address any misuse of technology and keep the online space safe for all students.
  • Set a Good Example: Show and teach students how to use technology in a healthy, safe, and respectful way.
  • Use Best Practices: Follow the FCPS Instructional Framework for using technology in teaching and learning.
  • Integrate Lessons: Include digital citizenship ideas in everyday lessons so students learn how to use technology well.
  • Offer Real Opportunities: Provide chances for students to practice using digital tools and demonstrate good online behavior.
  • Teach Targeted Lessons: Deliver the digital citizenship lessons each year as communicated.
  • Use Extra Resources: Use additional digital citizenship materials to help students learn new skills and support positive behavior online.

Parents are urged to:

  • Partner with the School: Work with the school to address any problems with technology use and help keep a safe online space for learning.
  • Model Good Behavior: Show and teach your children how to use technology in a healthy, safe, and respectful way.
  • Review Rules Together: Look at the FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities with your children and talk about the rules and consequences.
  • Set Home Expectations: Create and follow rules at home that support safe, healthy, and respectful use of technology.
  • Be Involved: Participate in your children’s online activities to help them understand what they see and guide their interactions.
  • Use Trusted Resources: Check out the resources on the FCPS Digital Citizenship website and from other reliable organizations to help prepare your children for digital life.

Family Resources

As a parent or caregiver, you may wonder which apps and games are appropriate for your child. How can you help them use technology and media safely? FCPS recommends a simple four-step approach to guide your child in becoming a smart, safe, and balanced technology user.

The Four-Step Approach for Parents:

Set Clear Rules– Create and enforce a family plan for media and device use.

Make Smart Choices– Carefully select apps, games, videos, books, and other digital content.

Use Parental Controls– Set limits to help manage screen time and online activity.

Model and Promote Media Balance– Use technology with your child and model and guide healthy choices.

By following these steps, you can help your child build healthy digital habits and enjoy technology safely.

Families are urged to develop device and media use plans. Plans will take into account each child's age, health, personality, and developmental stage.

Factors to Consider

These factors are important to consider before setting expectations for each child.  The effects of technology and media use on children also depend on the:

  • Content: Is it age-appropriate and educational?
  • Context: When, where, why, how, and with whom is it used?
  • Critical Thinking: Does it encourage children to think deeply?
  • Creation vs. Consumption: Does it inspire children to create something, not just consume it?
  • Active vs. Passive: Is it interactive or just for watching?

Resources

These resources will help parents set expectations:

Get advice to common questions:

Parent Concerns from Common Sense Media

Many parents worry about the time their children spend on devices. While the amount of time is important, the quality and features of the media matter too. Use these steps to help you find high-quality media and decide what is best for your child.

Step 1: List What Your Child Wants

Sit down with your child and make a list of the games, apps, or other media they are interested in using.

Step 2: Read Reviews

Look at reviews to learn more about each option. Two useful sites are:

Step 3: Ask Key Questions

Before choosing an app, game, or service, consider these questions:

  • What educational value does it offer?
  • Can my child talk to strangers while using it?
  • Will my child be communicating with artificial intelligence agents?
  • Is it age-appropriate? Does it include any questionable content?
  • Does it use location services?
  • Are there in-app purchases available?
  • Can my child post text, photos, or videos publicly?
  • Does it offer live streaming?
  • What information does it collect about my child, and who can access it? (You can find this in the Terms of Service and Privacy Policies.)
  • Who owns the content my child posts or shares?
  • Does it match our family's values?

Following these steps will help you and your child make smart choices about using technology and media.

FCPS encourages parents to use parental controls and slowly give more responsibility to their children. This method helps kids learn how to use technology safely, responsibly, and in a balanced way.

Over time, as your child matures, learns to navigate the online world safely, and shows respectful and responsible behavior, you can ease the parental controls. Our goal is to prepare students for times when they are not supervised by an adult.

Explain the Rules

  • Tell your child about the parental controls you use and why they are in place.
  • Explain your expectations and what will happen if the rules are broken.
  • Be clear, honest, and consistent.

Review and Adjust Often

  • Check and update your rules and controls regularly.
  • Slowly give your child more freedom as they show they are ready.

More Information on Parental Controls

  • Your child's FCPS device comes with internet content filtering. If you want to limit access to certain websites at home, please speak with your internet service provider about their content filtering options.
  • Lightspeed Parent Reports : Parents receive a report of their child's internet activity on their FCPS device. Parents can also pause access to the internet on the device during non-school hours.

Model and Promote Media Balance and Well-being

FCPS encourages you to use technology in a way that keeps your mind, body, and feelings healthy. This means balancing what you do online and offline, being safe and responsible on the internet, and thinking about how screen time affects your mood. The Media Balance and Well-being Guide offers 9 key strategies to help you use technology in a healthy way. Use these strategies to reflect on your current habits and set goals for the future.

  • Be ready for challenges with technology.
  • Use problems as chances to teach and learn.
  • Model and teach students appropriate technology use.
  • Talk through problems using language that helps students solve them.

Look for ways to use digital media to teach information and media literacy. When using digital media, consider:

  • Content: Is the content developmentally and educationally appropriate?
  • Context: When, where, why, how and with whom is it being used?
  • Child's Needs: How does it support the child's skills and needs?
  • Value: What extra benefit does the digital media provide?

  • Technology use should be intentional with a goal or purpose in mind.
  • Using technology to avoid uncomfortable feelings, such as boredom, impacts our ability to find productive ways to manage feelings.

  • Both in-person and online communication are important.
  • Teach, practice, and support both ways of learning.
  • Let children use a variety of learning tools.
  • Watch how much digital media is used to avoid overuse.

  • Choose activities that let students create, communicate, research, and solve problems.
  • Active use means students work with the technology, not just watch or scroll.
  • Too much passive use can lead to problems like depression, anxiety, and trouble paying attention.

  • Choose high-quality digital tools and media that match your child’s age, skills, and interests.
  • FCPS provides a library of approved resources in the FCPS Digital Ecosystem.

  • Create routines that promote good habits with technology, just like with eating, sleeping, and exercising.
  • Use strategies to protect your eyes and avoid eye strain.
  • Sit with good posture when using devices.
  • Learn about the negative effects of too much screen time on social, emotional, and brain health, and find ways to prevent them.

Make clear home rules that explain:

  • How to create a caring and respectful environment.
  • When, where, and how technology can be used.
  • How to care for and maintain devices.

  • Keep track of your child’s digital footprint and online interactions.
  • Help your child understand and think about what they see, hear, and experience online.
  • Teach and model self-control and strategies to handle online challenges.

Recorded Webinars and Podcasts for Families

This webinar was presented jointly by Fairfax County Schools, Fairfax County Police Department, the Department of Justice, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Questions discussed include:

  • What is Sextortion?
  • What are FCPS and FCPD seeing concerning sextortion?
  • How can families help prevent their kids from becoming victims?
  • How should families respond if their child was victimized?

Access to technology provides limitless opportunities to connect with others, explore diverse perspectives, share and build upon ideas, get involved in the community, and find opportunities. However, many kids are online almost constantly, which poses a number of challenges that impact youth wellness.

Have you been considering a new phone, laptop, or gaming system for your child? This session will help parents understand developmental factors, how to proactively prepare and establish boundaries with your child, and how to respond to challenges when they arise.

Here you will find the latest science-based resources to help you care for children, ages 0-25. Quickly find what you need to know about a child’s developmental stage, a specific type of technology, or how media can affect health and well-being.

When technology becomes the primary place for school and connecting with others, what does it look like to set boundaries?

  • What can you do to set your child up for success to handle whatever challenges and temptations they may face with technology?
  • What can you do to help them rebound when they make a mistake?  We will be asking you to share your top concerns about the world of technology and your child so that we may craft this webinar around advice and resources on the hottest topics.

Learning to “stop and pause” is a learned skill that can help diffuse an unwanted situation. This podcast explores how executive functioning and social emotional skills impact a student’s approach to digital communication, creation, and participation. The meaning of digital citizenship for students is defined and discussed, as well as tips for safe navigation in digital spaces.