This October is National Digital Citizenship month, a month devoted to educating the public about online responsibilities. In order to teach these behaviors, Fairfax County requires all students to participate in a digital citizenship seminar. McLean High School students will engage in this lesson during Highlander Time 6 on Oct. 21st.
According to the FCPS website, digital citizenship can be defined as “The norms of appropriate, responsible behavior (and its positive and negative impact on self and others) with regard to technology use.” As our school system advances technologically with the addition of laptops in every high school, more students become prone to dangerous online activity.
Students are expected to be responsible online, and think before they post. Students must advance their digital skills in order to become the most successful version of themselves possible. 
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Fairfax County adopted this program from the Common Sense Media Digital Citizenship Curriculum, which was developed at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Each component from the lesson is designed to reflect the online challenges that face students today. The lesson covers six sub-units involved in online activity. These include: Media Balance & Well-Being, Privacy & Security, Digital Footprint & Identity, Relationships & Communication, Cyber-bullying, Digital Drama, & Hate Speech, and News & Media Literacy.
Common Sense Media claims that the instructional approach for these topics is designed to support emotional learning and balance. “To support students in developing an internal sense of “media balance,” our lessons prompt students to reflect on the different feelings and emotions that arise when they engage in activities that involve digital media.” This emphasis on digital balance also aims to help students draw the line between healthy and harmful electronic use.
"Our school has embraced 21st Century learning & the importance of digital citizenship, which has had a positive effect on our culture. Using lessons has sparked conversations, which are a valuable tool we have used to connect responsibility & tech." Mentimeter
Ever since the digital citizenship lesson’s establishment in 2012, the program has been met with positive reviews from both students and educators. Quotes obtained via Mentimeter are consistent with the lessons and principles the digital citizenship lesson obtains to achieve.
“After hosting a Digital Citizenship Parent Night, parents were able to comprehend their essential role of working together with their child. Overall, by students, teachers, & parents working together; we know it takes a Shared Responsibility.”
While these lessons affect all parties involved, it can be said the digital citizenship lesson mainly impacts students. “It is important to educate people about how to be responsible online. I feel that some people don’t understand that one’s online presence can affect their eligibility for college, and can come back to haunt them,” junior Sydney Muskett said.
