Cyber-bullying, and online privacy and safety, may be what comes to mind as the digital dilemmas facing schools in today’s hyper-connected world. But at Canyons District, teaching good digital citizenship isn’t just about safely navigating the Internet. It’s about empowering students to use digital tools–including social media–to explore the world, gain knowledge, and connect with ideas and people.

This week, Feb. 6-10, Canyons District celebrates its 2^nd annual Digital Citizenship Week with activities sponsored to raise awareness of the many resources available to schools and families. Banners have been posted in hallways throughout the District, Education Technology Specialist Katie Dewey Hill recently appeared on KUTV 2News with helpful tips for parents, and special lessons are being taught in class and on morning announcements.

The Canyons Board of Education believes this issue to be so important that it passed a resolution supporting the focus of the week. The resolution stresses that teaching children principles of good digital citizenship is a community endeavor involving teachers, parents and guardians. 

With this in mind, it’s modeled and reinforced in all CSD classrooms at all times. In fact, CSD just received word that it has earned the status of a Common Sense Certified District for its dedication to teaching young people how to be safe, responsible digital citizens. The certification means that more than half of CSD’s schools completed Common Sense’s rigorous training process. The District also must show a commitment to bringing other schools on board in future years.

CSD’s widespread Internet safety and digital citizenship effort started with School Community Councils, which have been given statutory responsibilities regarding digital citizenship in their respective schools. In partnership with SCCs, CSD schools also are planning Parent Information Nights to discuss Internet-safety topics. Contact your child’s school to find out when and where their event will be held.  

Parents, students and teachers also can keep up on the educational and informational activities by following the hashtag #CSDdigcit17 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.