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Digital Citizenship and Online Safety

What is Digital Citizenship?

Digital citizenship is the ability to navigate our digital environments insafely, a way that's saferesponsibly, and responsiblerespectfully. It involves making informed choices, protecting personal information, and toengaging actively and respectfully engagepositively in theseonline spaces. communities.

“Although we live and interact in the digital world similarly to the offline world, we're not always as mindful of our online actions. We can sometimes act without realizing how it could affect our reputation, safety and growth as digital citizens. In the meantime, everything we do online affects and defines our digital world and selves.

Digital media also provide unique opportunities for everyone to get involved, speak out, and make changes online and offline. Our actions in our online world can have a real impact, and we all have a role to play as active digital citizens (Media Smarts).”

The Why and How of Digital Citizenship?Citizenship

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23

OurWe encourage our students are encouraged to become wise,discerning digital learnerslearners—able whoto can searchexplore online withinsafely boundaries,while ensuring online safety andmaintaining healthy learning.boundaries. With this in mind, hereHere are some helpfulkey guidelines forto yourhelp new online learner.learners:

  • Discuss online responsibility: Talk to yourwith students about onlinescreen responsibilitytime, regardingappropriate hourswebsites, and the importance of use,digital whichdiscernment. sitesStay may be accessed and which are undesirable. Educate yourselfinformed about the internetwebsites and whichapps sitesthey your students are using.use.

  • CreateSet clear family rules,rules: includingEstablish hoursguidelines offor use,screen whichtime, sitessafe may be accessed,browsing, and whichonline may not.behavior.

  • PlaceKeep your computerdevices in acommon central,areas: Placing computers in open locationspaces, likesuch as the living roomroom, sopromotes Internetsupervision timeand can be supervised.accountability.

  • CreateEncourage balance: Set tech-free timetimes and encouragepromote exercisephysical onactivity anto ongoingbalance basisscreen aftertime.

    periods
    • of
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    Teach workcritical atthinking: theHelp computer.students evaluate online content for credibility and accuracy.

     Students who are new to using technology can learn more through these BrainPOP videos. 

Online Safety

Tips for Privacy and Data Security

  • Investigate new applications, services, and websitesResearch before you use: them.Investigate apps, websites, and online services before signing up.

  • Think before posting: Be cautiousmindful and sensitive toof the ramificationslong-term impact of whatsharing youpersonal post about yourself or anyone elseinformation online. 

  • Alert yourEducate students to possibleon online dangers,risks: suchTeach asthem providingto avoid sharing personal information.details and to recognize potential dangers.

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Other Resources


    ReducingStaying RiskSafe withOnline: Social Media and& Privacy (Kfor -Young Gr 2)

    Learners

    Before your students usebegin exploring social media, haveit’s important to introduce them watchto the followingbasics of online privacy. Help them understand that personal information—such as their full name, address, and school—should not be shared online. Encourage open conversations about what is safe to post and who they can trust online.

    "Safety Smart with Timon and Pumbaa" is a fun and engaging educational video fromcreated Friendlyby ScreensDisney animation.in  This will helpcollaboration with privacyUnderwriters issues.

    Laboratories

    Disney video(UL) to learnteach children about online safety. In this video, Timon and Pumbaa explore key topics such as:

    • Keeping personal information private (not sharing names, addresses, or school details online).
    • Recognizing safe and unsafe online interactions (understanding who to trust).
    • Thinking before clicking (avoiding suspicious links or downloads).
    • Being kind and respectful online (digital etiquette and cyberbullying awareness).

    With humour and relatable storytelling, the video helps children understand how to navigate the digital world responsibly while making safe choices. It’s a great resource for introducing Kindergarten to Grade 2 students to the basics of digital citizenship.

    RightNow Media also has videos on bullying with the McGee and Me! Series. For an invitation to access the RightNow Media, please email Margaret Basaraba.

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