Digital Citizenship & Supporting Young People’s Lives Online

Digital technology use was a consistent part of everyday life before the pandemic. Now, it’s a near-constant. Our students’ learning, social lives, and entertainment are all happening largely ‘behind the screen.’ How can we support youth in this landscape? In this Digital Citizenship Week (#DigCitWeek) workshop, educators will explore how they can use authentic, engaging digital dilemmas and new thinking routines to lean into timely digital issues. These learning activities build students’ agency to get more control over their digital habits, nurture skills for empathic digital communication, navigate relationship ups and downs, and invite critical thinking about how important civic issues are playing out on social media. Educators will practice using selected tools and digital dilemmas with consideration for different teaching and learning formats (e.g., self-guided by students, in synchronous virtual environments, and in the physical classroom). These resources are featured in newly updated lessons in Common Sense Education’s (free) Digital Citizenship Curriculum. PZ-researchers Carrie James and Emily Weinstein will co-facilitate the session with Kelly Mendoza, Senior Director at Common Sense Education. Note: This workshop will focus on dilemmas and activities most relevant to learners in middle and secondary school.