Digital Citizenship

Keeping our students safe is always a top priority for WSD3. Use the resources below to help keep our students safe while online.

• Common Sense - Nonprofit organization dedicated to helping all kids thrive in a world of media and technology. Parents can find extended resources and other information to help students be safe and wisely use the internet in their lives.
• Be Internet Awesome - Be Internet Awesome teaches kids the fundamentals of digital citizenship and safety so they can explore the online world with confidence. Parents can help their student play a series of games that teach the fundamentals to safely navigate the internet.
• FBI Kids Safety
• NetSmartz
• Safe, Smart, & Social - App Guides for Parents
• Cyberwise
   
• KEEP YOUR DATA AND THE DATA OF OTHERS PRIVATE.
  • Never share your passwords with others (however, parents should know their kids’ passwords).
  • Always logout of computers and online systems you’ve logged into (email, file storage, social media, etc.); closing the browser window is not the same as logging out.
  • While logged in, never leave your computer/device unattended.
  • Do not use unsecured public Wi-Fi networks commonly found at restaurants, airports, and other businesses
  • Do not post information about yourself online (address, phone number, school, pictures, etc.)
     
• PROTECT YOURSELF 
  • Do not communicate online with people you do not know.
  • Never share your name, age, school, address, phone number, pictures or other personal information online.
  • Your online actions and posts are traceable; you are NOT anonymous while online.
  • Ask yourself: “Would I want this information to become known to the public?”
  • Ask yourself: “Would I be doing this if my parents were watching?”
     
• MAINTAIN A HEALTHY BALANCE; LIMIT YOUR TIME SPENT ON COMPUTERS AND OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES.
  • Do you frequently find that you have spent more time online than you were planning to spend?
  • Are you online late into the night and then tired?
  • Do you spend time online instead of doing homework, hobbies, chores, physical activities, or spending time with friends or family?
  • Are you always thinking about being online?
  • Do you argue about time limits your parents have set for Internet use? Or use sneaky ways to get around these limits?
     
• HELP PREVENT CYBERBULLYING.
  • Cyberbullying (also called cyber harassment) is sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone else
  • Don’t be a cyberbully. People do not “deserve” to be treated badly. It is not “funny.”
  • It may feel easy to post negative and mean things about someone else because you are online, but remember these are REAL people where there can be real consequences
  • Don’t become a cyberbully to get back at someone who is bullying you. This will just make the problem worse.
  • If you made a mistake and hurt someone, apologize.
  • Calm down before you respond to someone.
  • DON’T RETALIATE! The bully wants to make you mad. Don’t give the bully a “win.” Being mean back isn’t going to help.
  • Save the evidence and get help from an adult.
     
• BE A GOOD DIGITAL CITIZEN.
  • Use devices and social media websites for good and positive things, not for negative and harmful activities.
  • Abide by all laws and rules.
  • Do not use the works (images, writings, recordings, etc.) of others illegally or without permission.
  • Remember that words can and do hurt others, even when reading them online.
  • Treat others with respect.

It is vital to read information on the internet that is factual and up-to-date. Here are some resources that can help you fact check important information.

• Truth or Fiction - Quickly and easily get information about eRumors, fake news, disinformation, warnings, offers, requests for help, myths, hoaxes, virus warnings, and humorous or inspirational stories that are circulated by email.
• Snopes - A website that researches urban legends and other rumors. It is often the first to set the facts straight on wild fake news claims.