How to Be a Good Digital Citizen When School Starts

Summer is almost over and the new school year begins in just a week! During the summer, we've all had freedom with our phones, laptops and digital devices. We've taken pictures, posted on Facebook, texted friends at 1 a.m or spent hours playing CandyCrush! It's now time to get back into our school routine and move into the new school year being good digital citizens.

Here are few tips that will help students in the digital world:

School Day Responsibilities

• During school hours, remember that digital devices are for educational purposes only.
• Use digital devices in class as the teacher instructs. Don't become distracted by devices and stay on task while using the digital devices.  
• While in class, shut down Skype, FaceTime,chat programs, or anything that may be a distraction.
• Turn off sounds or flashy screen savers that may distract others. Also be sure to turn off vibrate as well as sound on the cellular device while in class.
• Be sure to ask the classroom teacher what their rules are for digital devices and comply to those rules for the entire year.
• Grades 4-10 should reread and remember to follow the Rules of the Road for Darlington's 1-to-1 program.
• All students should read and follow Darlington's Technology Acceptable Use Policy. 

How to be a Good Digital Citizen

• Think before you click!  Don't post or digitally send things before you've had time to think about it. Don't post or send things in anger. Always be appropriate when posting or sending and never forward messages or media you know is inappropriate.
• Never post, chat or send anything you wouldn't say or do in public or face to face.
• Stand up for those you know are being cyberbullied or tell someone if you are being cyberbullied. Don't be afraid, go to your counselor, parent or teacher. This can be done anonymously.
• Never steal! Give credit to any and all work found digitally just as you would from the library. Just like you want credit for your work, give credit where it's due.
• Always remember Internet safety rules. SafeKids has a great list to follow.