Digital Citizenship

Why does the California Department of Education (CDE) advocate, champion, and promote Digital Citizenship?

Digital Citizenship is the safe and responsible use of technology and online behavior modeled by students and adults.

While technology is ever present in our personal and professional lives, digital wellness becomes increasingly more important in the lives of our students and ourselves. In service of Superintendent Thurmond’s Mental Health Initiatives, a “healthy mind is essential for learning”. Specifically, the “Mental Health Support Initiative focuses on supporting all students and fostering school communities where all students feel supported, respected, and valued.” In the case of digital citizenship, the CDE explores ways to support mental health with and without the use of media and technology.

As students gain the ability to navigate computing systems, utilize networks and the internet responsibly, analyze and interpret data with an antibias lens, solve problems using algorithms and programming, and carefully consider the ethics of computing technologies, they become informed digital citizens who can leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other technologies to promote social justice and equity. The California Public Schools: Artificial Intelligence Working Group, established under SB 1288 (2024), brings together educators, students, experts, and educational partners to develop guidance and model policy for the safe, equitable, and effective use of AI in schools.

In an effort to empower students in the ever-evolving digital landscape, it is critical to support students to be accountable for their safe, responsible, healthy balanced online interactions. To do so, CDE aims to collaborate with educators and families to raise awareness and educate each other to foster positive learning environments.

What does the CDE envision to achieve and accomplish through its support of Digital Citizenship?

The CDE aims to support the efforts of our adults such as educators and caregivers to model and provide safe and responsible online learning environments for our students. Our goal is to offer guidance by sharing and curating vetted resources for students, families, and educators to leverage in daily practices so that “students feel supported, respected, and valued.”

According to the ISTE Digital Citizen definitions, how can:

1. “Students recognize the rights, responsibilities and opportunities of living, learning and working in an interconnected digital world, and they act and model in ways that are safe, legal and ethical.”
2. “Educators inspire students to positively contribute to and responsibly participate in the digital world.”
3. Educational “Leaders use technology to increase equity, inclusion, and digital citizenship practices.”
4. “Coaches model digital citizenship and support educators and students in recognizing the responsibilities and opportunities inherent in living in a digital world.”

We recognize that we must proactively mitigate risks when we meaningfully integrate technology within our instruction and workplace. Simultaneously, we adhere to a growth mindset as life-long learners to acknowledge that we are not averse to the technological advancements that are made to propel us forward in achieving our mission to “prepare students to live, work, and thrive in a multicultural, multilingual, and highly connected world.”

How will CDE achieve and accomplish its vision of Digital Citizenship?

In collaboration with ISTE, Edutopia, Common Sense Education and ICanHelp , the CDE is thrilled to continue celebrating over 10 years of Digital Citizenship Week, and over 20 years of digital citizenship campaigns!

General resources for your review:

1. Common Sense Curriculum
2. ICanHelp Events to support Digital4Good and combat Cyberbullying
3. Tech Talk Tuesdays in accordance with Screenagers Resources ...have you thought about co-developing a screen time contract with your child?

Past Celebrations

• 2021 Digital Citizenship Week
• 2022 Digital Citizenship Week
• 2023 Digital Citizenship Week
• 2024 Digital Citizenship Week

See More for Digital Citizenship Week 2025