• Digital Safety & Security: Protecting personal information, using strong privacy settings, and recognizing online risks such as cyberbullying, scams, and unsafe interactions.
• Digital Law: Following rules and laws related to technology use, including respecting copyright, intellectual property, and terms of service.
• Digital Literacy: Using technology effectively, thinking critically about online content, and understanding how digital media can influence opinions and behavior.
• Digital Etiquette (Netiquette): Communicating respectfully online, showing kindness, and handling disagreements or negativity in appropriate ways.
• Digital Rights & Responsibilities: Understanding individual rights online—such as freedom of expression—while also respecting the rights, feelings, and safety of others.
• Digital Health & Wellness: Maintaining a healthy balance with technology and being aware of how screen time and online interactions can affect physical and mental well-being.
• Digital Commerce: Making safe, informed decisions when buying, selling, or sharing financial information online.
• Digital Access: Supporting fair access to technology and digital resources so all students have opportunities to learn and connect.

In short, being a good digital citizen means being a responsible and positive member of the digital world, helping to create an online environment that is safe, respectful, and welcoming for everyone.

• Protecting Personal Information: Keeping details such as your full name, address, phone number, passwords, and financial information private.
• Recognizing Online Threats: Learning how to identify scams, phishing messages, malware, fake accounts, and misleading or harmful content.
• Safe Online Behavior: Treating others with respect, thinking before posting or sharing, understanding your digital footprint, and knowing how to report concerns or unsafe situations.
• Device & Network Security: Using strong, unique passwords, keeping devices and apps updated, and being cautious when downloading files or clicking links.
• Content Awareness: Avoiding harmful or inappropriate material and understanding how online content can affect thoughts, emotions, and behavior.
• Managing Online Relationships: Being cautious when interacting with others online, especially strangers, and understanding the risks of meeting someone first encountered online.

Why online safety matters:

• Reduces Harm: Helps prevent identity theft, financial loss, cyberbullying, grooming, and emotional distress.
• Promotes Positive Use: Encourages confident, responsible, and meaningful use of the internet for learning, communication, and creativity.
• Protects Vulnerable Populations: Supports young people in building healthy online habits while staying safe in digital spaces.

By practicing online safety, students and families can work together to create a safer, more respectful, and supportive digital environment for everyone.

• Chromebooks issued by the District are filtered both inside and outside of school district buildings. 
• A Web filter is a program that can screen an incoming Web page to determine whether some or all of it should not be displayed to the student. The filter checks the origin or content of a Web page against a set of rules provided by the school district. 
• Using a web filter allows MVSD to block out pages from websites that are likely to include objectionable advertising, pornographic content, spyware, viruses, and other objectionable content. However, please note that although these devices will be filtered, and are safer than using a personal device, it is still possible that objectionable content can slip through the filters. 
• MVSD’s content filtering is designed to ensure CIPA (Children's Internet Protection Act) compliance.
• All students TK-8th grade participate in Digital Citizenship lessons provided by their classroom teachers, which are to be completed by October 30th.

Parents and guardians play a vital role in helping students stay safe online. Here are some recommendations for parents to support Digital Citizenship and Online Safety.

• Review the Acceptable Use Agreement and Board Policies with your child
• Copy of ACCEPTABLE USE AGREEMENT- Students.pdf
• Monitor your child’s technology use
• Have your child use their technology in common/high-traffic areas
• Store your child’s technology in a safe place, outside their bedroom, to limit unsupervised use 
• Limit your child’s use of technology- there should be a purpose 
  • Homework
  • Research 
  • Age Appropriate supervised entertainment