Dear families & friends,
At Waitsfield Elementary School, we value our partnership with families in supporting students’ academic, social, and emotional growth. As children grow, they develop greater independence, strengthen their identities, and navigate increasingly complex social relationships. Today, some of these experiences take place in digital spaces, while others are shaped by what children observe in the technology use of adults, older siblings, and peers.
At the beginning of each year, we review our technology Acceptable Use Procedures with students. We reviewed expectations for using technology at school, including the understanding that these tools are provided to support learning and school-related activities. We are quite thoughtful about when and how we use technology and expect the same of our students.
These conversations also offer an opportunity to reinforce a broader concept: digital citizenship is about how we treat ourselves and others, both online and offline. Students explore these topics in library and technology classes with Eric Mongeon, in wellness classes with Liz Crowley, and within their classrooms. These lessons help children develop awareness and understanding, but building sound digital habits requires ongoing practice, guidance, and support from the adults in their lives.
Technology and Our Children
Children encounter technology in many different ways. Some have their own devices, while others may occasionally use a family member’s phone or computer, watch an older sibling play an online game, or hear conversations about social media and group chats. Regardless of whether a child has a device of their own, digital citizenship is relevant to every family.
Text messages, group chats, social media, online gaming, and other digital platforms can create opportunities for connection and creativity. They can also present challenges, including misunderstandings, exclusion, hurtful comments, and the rapid spread of rumors. Children are still developing the judgment, impulse control, and empathy needed to navigate these situations successfully.
As a parent, I have wrestled with many of the same questions families face today:
How do we help children learn to use technology responsibly?
How do we balance its benefits with its potential risks?
What kinds of online activities and platforms are appropriate for children at different ages?
How can we help children respond when they encounter unkind or inappropriate behavior online, even when they are not directly involved?
One of the best places to begin is with regular, open conversations. Ask children what they see and hear about technology, what they notice among their peers, and how they think people should treat one another online. These conversations can begin long before a child has a device of their own.
Ways Families Can Help
Establish healthy technology habits. When children have access to devices, consider setting clear expectations about when and where they may be used. Keeping devices out of bedrooms overnight and establishing screen-free times supports healthy sleep, relationships, and routines.
Talk about what children see and hear. Even children who do not have their own devices may encounter online content through family members, friends, or siblings. Invite questions and create opportunities to talk about what they observe without fear of getting in trouble for bringing it up.
Practice empathy and the “in real life” rule. Encourage children to think about how their words might affect others. Would they say the same thing face-to-face? Would they want a family member or teacher to see the message? Remind children that digital messages and images can be shared beyond their intended audience and may be difficult to take back.
Encourage upstander behavior. Talk about what children can do when they witness unkind behavior, whether online or in person. They might refuse to participate in gossip, offer support to someone who has been excluded, leave an unkind group conversation, or seek help from a trusted adult.
Model the habits we hope to develop. Children notice how adults use their own devices. Making time for face-to-face conversations, being thoughtful about what we post and share, and putting devices aside when others need our attention can reinforce the lessons we teach.
Helpful Resources for Families
There are many free resources available to help families establish guidelines and start conversations:
Google Be Internet Awesome: Activities and practical guidance to help children learn to be smart, alert, strong, kind, and brave online.
ConnectSafely: Parent Guides: Guides to digital platforms, messaging, online safety, and cyberbullying, with practical advice for families.
We are all learning how to navigate an increasingly digital world, and none of us has all the answers. Our goal is not simply to limit technology or prevent every mistake, but to help children develop the judgment, empathy, and responsibility they need to make thoughtful choices and care for one another.
By working together, sharing our questions, and keeping communication open, we can help our children become responsible digital citizens—whether they are using a device themselves, interacting with someone online, or simply learning from the world around them.
Respectfully,
Kaiya Korb, WES Principal
