Digital Citizenship

We believe in being open about the policies and procedures for technology use in our division. The purpose of this guide is to help answer any questions you may have as a family, as well as provide you with resources for raising a healthy digital citizen. In it you will find ACPS-specific information and policies, as well as resources and conversation starters in a series of topics related to digital citizenship. 

• Technology & Digital Citizenship Field Guide for ACPS Families

• Un guía de campo de tecnología y ciudadanía digital para las familias de ACPS

Albemarle County Public Schools recommends Common Sense Media® as an ongoing digital support for parents to research, explore, and learn about how to best support children in their responsible, ethical, effective, and safe use of technology and media. 

A few key parent and guardian resources found on the Common Sense website are highlighted below.

• Parent Concerns Page: guidelines for handling digital dilemmas around topics such as Screen Time, Cyberbullying, Privacy and Internet Safety, popular social media tools like Instagram, Learning with Technology, and Special Needs and Learning Difficulties.

• Essential Apps Guide: a great resource geared towards assisting parents and guardians with gauging the learning, safety, and fun value of educational apps and games.

• Parent Blog: includes tips and articles about online behavior, technology reviews, and other trending topics.

• Coronavirus Support: includes articles about “parenting, media, and everything in between” during distance learning and living.

• En Español: te ayudamos a manejar la tecnología en la vida de tus hijos.

Need help with finding the right balance of media use in your household? The American Academy of Pediatrics provides resources and recommendations for building a customized media plan which best suits your family. Use the resources below to help you get started:

• American Academy of Pediatrics: Create Your Own Family Media Plan

• En Español: Cree Su Plan Para el Consumo Mediático

• American Academy of Pediatrics: Recommendations for Children's Media Use

While students use the ACPS network, we have a filtering system in place to ensure that your child is as protected as possible from inappropriate content. While at home, students use your network’s filter, which will likely be less restrictive. Should you prefer to adjust your personal network’s filter, please refer to the guides below to learn how to do so on common service providers. When editing your filter, please consider allowing sites which your child’s teacher(s) may use for instructional materials. 

• Xfinity 

• CenturyLink 

• Ting 

• Verizon

• AT&T

• T-Mobile

UPCOMING:  2nd Annual Virtual Family Technology Night

• Elementary Panel: Tuesday, November 15th @ 6:00 p.m
  Click here to access the webinar!
   
• Secondary Panel: Wednesday, November 16th @ 6:00 p.m
  Click here to access the webinar!
   
• Resources:
  • Slide Deck (Questions)
  • Supplemental Resources
  • Feedback Form

Managing Screen Time, Getting a Cell Phone, Cyberbullying, Social Media & More

• Designed for K-8 families
• Slide Deck
• Video Recording (English / Spanish)
• Feedback

Social Media, Gaming & Mental Health

• Designed for 6-12 families

• Slide Deck

• Video Recording(English / Spanish)
• Feedback

Screen time is unavoidable, but not all screen time is created equally. Through scholarly research on screen time amongst young children, the Department of Technology has compiled the webpage below on how to best engage in screen time as it relates to physical health, cognition, and behavior.

Making the Most of Screen Time

Common Sense Schools are committed to deep implementation of the Common Sense Digital Citizenship Curriculum. Earning the Common Sense School badge is a symbol of your school's dedication to helping students think critically and use technology responsibly to learn, create, and participate.

• Develop a roadmap to school and districtwide digital citizenship implementation.

• Support a healthy school culture where your whole community is invested in helping kids thrive as digital learners and citizens.

• Earn a badge that publicly affirms your school's commitment to schoolwide implementation.

The Common Sense Recognition Program provides a roadmap for schools to adopt a whole-community approach to digital citizenship by completing three steps:

1. LEARN by providing professional learning opportunities to educators.

2. DO by implementing schoolwide digital citizenship through student instruction and family outreach.

3. REFLECT on how becoming a Common Sense School has had an impact on your school community.

For more detailed information, see Common Sense Media's Certification Page, as well as their Digital Citizenship Implementation Guide.  Alternatively, reach out to your school's Learning Technology Integrator for more information.