Digital Citizenship and Safety

Resources for Parents

A mother and father use a tablet with their daughter and son.

Screenagers

聽Under the Resources tab, this site offers solutions on how adults can empower kids to best navigate the digital world and find balance.

Wisconsin DPI

With the increased use of the Internet worldwide, it is even more important to protect the information we are sharing.聽 Privacy is much different now in the digital world.聽Almost every app, program, and website is looking for you to share some personal information.聽Use this site when determining what information is safe to share online.


Digital Citizenship Glossary

The internet is a lot like a giant digital city. Just as you teach your child to look both ways before crossing the street, it鈥檚 just as important to help them be 鈥渟treet smart鈥 online.

Most of us use the internet every day鈥攚hether it鈥檚 scrolling through TikTok, completing school assignments, or shopping online. But many people, including kids, don鈥檛 fully understand the 鈥渞ules of the road鈥 or the language experts use to talk about online safety and behavior.

That鈥檚 where digital citizenship comes in. It鈥檚 all about using technology safely, responsibly, and respectfully. Understanding a few key terms can go a long way in helping you guide your child鈥檚 online experiences with confidence.

Here are some essential digital citizenship terms everyone should know:

Authority聽– Authority refers to how trustworthy a source is based on who created it. If information comes from a聽qualified expert聽or a well-known organization, it’s more likely to be reliable than something posted by an unknown user.

Bystander聽– A bystander is someone who sees harmful behavior online, like cyberbullying, but chooses not to get involved or take action.

Cookies聽– Cookies are small files that websites store on your device to remember information about you, like login details or browsing habits. They make websites easier to use, but they also allow service providers to track your activity.

Cyberbullying聽– Cyberbullying is when someone uses digital platforms to repeatedly harass, threaten, or embarrass another person.

Data Breach聽– A data breach happens when private or sensitive information is accessed or stolen without permission, often from companies or large platforms.

Digital Citizen聽– A digital citizen is anyone who uses technology to interact with others online. Being a good digital citizen means using the internet responsibly, respectfully, and safely.

Digital Footprint聽– A digital footprint is the trail of information you leave behind online through posts, searches, and interactions. The more you share, the greater your exposure to privacy issues or misuse of personal information. Also, once something is online, it can be very difficult to remove.

Digital Identity Theft聽– Digital identity theft occurs when someone steals your personal information, like passwords or account details, to pretend to be you or access your accounts.

Encryption聽– Encryption is a method of聽protecting data聽by turning it into a coded format that only authorized users can read. It helps keep sensitive information secure.

Firewall聽– A firewall is a security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic, blocking anything that looks suspicious or harmful.

Imaginary Audience聽– The imaginary audience is the feeling that people are constantly watching and judging you. Social media can make this feeling stronger by showing likes, views, and comments.

Invisible Audience聽– The invisible audience refers to the unknown people who may see your online content, including strangers, future employers, or others outside your immediate circle. It pays to聽assess your security blind spots聽because you may not realize who is viewing your posts.

Malware聽– Malware is any type of harmful software designed to damage devices, steal information, or disrupt normal operations. It is often installed as part of a package or application that otherwise appears innocent.

Password Hygiene聽– Password hygiene refers to the practice of creating strong, unique passwords and keeping them secure instead of reusing the same one across multiple accounts.

Phishing聽– Phishing is a scam where attackers pretend to be a trusted source to trick you into giving away personal information, often through fake emails, texts, or websites.

Public Wi-Fi Risk聽– Public Wi-Fi risk refers to the potential dangers of using unsecured networks, where hackers may be able to intercept your data.

Reliability聽– Reliability refers to whether information is accurate and dependable. Just because something looks professional online doesn’t mean it’s true.

Social Comparison聽– Social comparison is the act of comparing your life to what you see online. Since people often share only their best moments, it can create unrealistic expectations.

Targeted Advertising聽– Targeted advertising uses your online behavior, location, and personal data to show ads that are specifically tailored to you.

Trolling聽– Trolling is when someone posts deliberately annoying or provocative content online to get attention or start arguments.

Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)聽– Two-factor authentication is a security feature that requires a second form of verification, like a code sent to your phone, in addition to your password.

Upstander聽– An upstander is someone who takes action when they see harmful behavior online, such as supporting the victim or reporting the issue.

VPN (Virtual Private Network)聽– A VPN is a tool that creates a secure, encrypted connection to the internet, helping protect your data and privacy, especially on public networks.


Digital Citizenship Games for Children

A father and daughter raising their hand in excitement while playing something on a tablet.

Interland

(Google鈥檚 Digital Citizenship Game Grades 5-8)

Kids can play their way to being Internet Awesome with Interland, an online adventure that puts the key lessons of digital safety into hands-on practice with four challenging games.

Digital Compass

(Common Sense Media鈥檚 Digital Citizenship Game Grades 3-6)

An animated choose-your-own-path interactive gaming platform, developed with middle schoolers in mind. Learn valuable skills by stepping into the shoes of one of 8 characters to experience the twists and turns of daily digital life.