Digital Citizenship Resources for the Classroom

What Is Digital Citizenship?
Digital citizenship means helping students build the skills and habits they need to use technology safely, responsibly, and with intention. It goes beyond simply knowing what not to do online. Instead, it focuses on developing critical thinking, ethical behavior, and respectful communication in digital environments. In short, it prepares students to become active, informed participants in a global, connected world and not just passive consumers of content.

Their World Is Online
In today’s tech-heavy world, digital citizenship isn’t optional, it’s essential. Students now live and learn in digital spaces that shape how they communicate, form opinions, and understand the world. From social media to AI tools, the online world offers both opportunity and risk. We must help students navigate it with care.

Most classrooms today include students who’ve never known a world without screens. They’re skilled at using apps and devices, but many lack the guidance to recognize bias, respond to cyberbullying, or manage their digital footprints. They may know how to click, swipe, and post, but not always how those actions impact themselves or others.

From The Experts
As Dr. Kristen Mattson, author of Digital Citizenship in Action, puts it:

“Digital citizenship isn’t a one-time lesson. It’s a mindset and a set of behaviors that should be embedded into everything we teach. If we want students to think critically and act ethically online, we have to start early and stay consistent.”¹

This belief is shared by tech leaders as well. Richard Culatta, CEO of ISTE, says:

“Digital citizenship is no longer just about creating strong passwords; it’s about using technology to make our digital community a better place.”²

Across the country, schools are taking this challenge seriously. Teachers are rethinking how they talk about technology, not just to prevent harm, but to prepare students to lead in digital spaces. That’s a shift we fully support.

At Virginia Ed Strategies, we believe that digital citizenship should be woven into every grade and subject. To help, we’ve compiled a list of trusted tools and easy starting points for educators. Whether you’re new to this work or deep in it already, there’s something here for every classroom.

Why Digital Citizenship Matters

Digital citizenship helps students:

Think critically: Spot misinformation and evaluate online content.
Stay safe: Protect their privacy and make smart choices online.
Communicate with empathy: Interact respectfully in digital spaces.
Be digitally literate: Navigate, create, and contribute responsibly online.

Quick Wins: Easy Ways to Start

You don’t need to overhaul your curriculum to begin. Here are some small steps that make a big impact:

Start the week with a “Digital Dilemma” question for class discussion.
Assign roles like “Digital Researcher” during group projects.
Use current events or viral trends as mini case studies.
Partner with counselors or librarians to teach online safety together.

Top Resources for K–12 Digital Citizenship

1. Common Sense Education
Free K–12 curriculum with videos, games, and family materials on media balance, privacy, and cyberbullying.
🔗 commonsense.org/education

2. Be Internet Awesome (Google)
A gamified program focused on safety, kindness, and media literacy. Includes the interactive Interland game.
🔗 beinternetawesome.withgoogle.com

3. ISTE Digital Citizenship Resources
Grounded in ISTE’s five competencies: Balanced, Informed, Inclusive, Engaged, and Alert. Offers lessons, tools, and PD.
🔗 iste.org/areas-of-focus/digital-citizenship

4. Nearpod Digital Citizenship Lessons
Interactive lessons for all ages, covering topics like cyberbullying, screen time, and digital footprints.
🔗 nearpod.com

5. Share My Lesson’s DigCit Collection
A curated list of teacher-tested resources with a focus on remote learning and AI.
🔗 sharemylesson.com

6. Edutopia: Teaching Digital Citizenship
Articles and real-life strategies for integrating digital citizenship into everyday instruction.
🔗 edutopia.org

Ways to Make It Stick

Here are a few more ideas to bring digital citizenship into your routine:

Create a digital citizenship station during tech time.
Let students help write class rules for online behavior.
Celebrate Digital Citizenship Week with school-wide themes.
Send home digital safety contracts to start conversations with families.

Final Thoughts

Students aren’t just using the internet, they’re growing up in it. That means we have a responsibility to guide them, not just in how they learn, but in how they live, connect, and communicate online.

Supporting the next generation of digital citizens means teaching more than rules. It means fostering curiosity, compassion, and courage.

So pick a resource. Try a strategy. Start a conversation!

And if you have a favorite lesson, idea, or success story to share, drop it in the comments or tag us on social media. Let’s work together to raise smart, ethical, future-ready digital citizens.