In an increasingly connected world, teaching children how to navigate the digital landscape responsibly is essential. American School of The Hague (ASH) Elementary School students are learning about the principles of digital citizenship through a curriculum from Common Sense Education, designed to teach safety, responsibility, and respect in online spaces.

 

The curriculum tackles a wide range of topics, including online safety, recognizing and combating cyberbullying, understanding the emotional impact of technology, and identifying reliable information sources. As Elementary School teacher Anette Mattson shared, “It’s about safety for your own information online, for others' safety, and how to be respectful.” Students learn about the importance of privacy, digital footprints, and the power of words in digital communication. Mattson adds, “We also teach them to ask questions like, ‘Is this information true?’ and ‘How does this make me feel?’ to encourage critical thinking.”

 

The program covers a variety of topics tailored to different age groups. For third and fourth graders, the week began with “What’s a Digital Citizen?”—a lesson emphasizing the importance of using safe passwords, seeking permission before sharing photos, and treating peers kindly online. Another lesson, “Managing Device Distractions” explores how students can build positive tech habits that allow them to keep their focus on tasks at school, and prevent their learning from getting affected from distractions. Lessons like “Digital Well-being” explained ways of consuming media in a healthy way and identified strategies for managing their feelings in regards to use of technology – social media, information, online interactions, and everything in between.

The curriculum also addresses broader issues, such the appropriate device handling, safety around personal accounts and information, and reflecting on how devices form part of the classroom community.

 

Mattson highlights the value of integrating these lessons into daily tech use. Platforms like Seesaw, where students can comment on peers’ work, provide practical opportunities to apply respectful communication. “Comments posted online can hurt someone’s feelings, so we teach them to think about their words,” she says. At the same time, digital technologies are integrating into the lives of younger generations more and more in both academic and social aspects. For example, as Mattson shares, gaming has become a particularly popular way for young people to socialize. “They socialize in digital spaces, and if they don’t have access, they feel left out,” she notes. The curriculum acknowledges this reality by promoting a balanced and thoughtful approach to technology, helping students see it as a tool for both learning and connection, while encouraging them to maintain a healthy relationship with it.

 

With communication starters that parents can use at home, the curriculum strengthens the partnership between educators and parents that equips students with tools to navigate the digital world both at school and home. “It’s not just about being safe online,” Mattson concludes. “It’s about creating discerning consumers and building a healthy relationship with technology.”

 

By embracing digital citizenship, ASH is helping to prepare students for a future where the digital and real worlds can coexist safely and respectfully, empowering them to thrive as responsible and mindful participants.