Here are five key elements to digital citizenship for parents and students, along with linked resources connected to each key idea that was shared in the session:

Be the digital citizen you want your student to be

• This is a challenging article: The Dangers of Distracted Parenting. The piece argues that parents should be as concerned about their own device usage as that of their children.
•  Yes, your smartphone habit is affecting your kid

Conversations, conversations, conversations

• Here are five simple phrases to use with your entire family that emphasizes key digital citizenship elements (from this article and a PDF document that goes into more detail on each of the five statements):
  • Be kind
  • Keep things private
  • Don’t believe everything you see
  • Don’t overshare
  • Stand up for others

Embrace being countercultural

• Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2 (ESV)

All screen time is NOT the same

• Many researchers will provide a number for the total hours of healthy screen time during a day or week. Keep in mind that not all screen time is equal. Passive consuming of video and social media are more likely to have a negative effect on your student more quickly than content created by a student.
• Are some types of screen time better than others?
• Not All Screen Time is Created Equal
• 5 Tips for Cellphone Use — good suggestions from a faith-based perspective.
• Beyond Screen Time: Better Questions for Children and Technology in 2020

Be intentional! (own your devices — don’t let them own you)

• This is an Intentional Device Management Plan that I have used with students. Please feel free to adapt this to meet your family’s needs and situation.
• Growing Leaders Blog— A site that consistently addresses technology and digital citizenship issues. Many other technology and parenting resources may be found on their site.