9 rules of digital citizenship (#Infographic)

If you’ve done any amount of research into how to engage students and parents online, chances are you’ve bumped into the phrase “digital citizenship.” It’s a buzzy catchphrase for a simple concept: Engage others online with respect and empathy. Or, treat people online as you’d treat them in the real world.

The notion of digital citizenship has existed in online circles for years, but school leaders are paying special attention to it these days, thanks in large part to the increasing number of parents and students who communicate online.

You’ve heard the horror stories—the angry parent who sounds off about a controversial school decision on Twitter, the student who gets bullied by anonymous tormentors on Facebook, the teacher who, in an apparent lapse in judgment, posts potentially career-damaging photos to their personal Instagram account.

The number of suspect online decisions, and the apparent lack of understanding associated with such choices, seems to increase by the day, especially as educators use social media to engage students. Looking to foster more constructive and productive online dialogue between students and/or teachers in your schools?

The infographic below, from the folks at the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), offers 9 rules for good digital citizenship. It covers everything from ensuring equitable access to bullying prevention.

As you work to engage students and parents responsibly online, what steps are you taking to encourage digital citizenship in your district? Tell us in the comments.

Ever had an online conversation that you’d wished you could move off social media to a safer place? Check out Let’s Talk! and ask about social media management.