Digital Citizenship

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“Studies show that the average teenager spends between about 5 hours on social media alone, and up to 7–9 hours on screens overall every day.” (Landmark Report: U.S. Teens Use an Average of Nine Hours of Media Per Day, Tweens Use Six Hours) Common Sense Media

That’s roughly as long as a full school day! 😲

What happens online DOESN'T stay online—it impacts school culture, safety, and reputation.

1. Safety – Protecting yourself and others

2. Respect – Treating people ethically online

3. Responsibility – Thinking before posting or sharing

4. Reputation – Your digital footprint follows you

👉Student leaders set the tone for how students behave online.

• Strong passwords & two-factor authentication

• Avoid oversharing personal info (location, schedules, private images)

• Recognizing scams, phishing, fake giveaways, impersonation

Common Sense Media: Tips for Kids & Teens to Keep their Information Safe & Private

👉Quick Tip:
“If it pressures you, scares you, or sounds too good to be true—pause.”

• Colleges, employers, scholarships do look 👀

• Screenshots last forever—even in “private” chats

• Deleting ≠ erasing

👉Ask Yourself...

“Would you post this if a coach, principal, or future employer saw it?”

• Harassment, rumors, group chats, anonymous apps

• Bystander vs. Upstander behavior

• Reporting is not snitching—it's safety

PACER: National Bullying Prevention Center - Cyberbullying

• Late-night screen use affects sleep quality and brain rest.

• Notifications and constant checking reduce attention span and focus in class.

• Lack of sleep can impact mood, memory, and decision-making.

👉Your brain needs offline time to recharge.

👉 Comparison culture
-Social media often shows highlight reels, not real life.
-may compare their bodies, popularity, grades, or lifestyles to unrealistic or edited images.
-This can lead to feelings of low self-esteem, anxiety, or “not being good enough.”

The Jed Foundation: Understanding Social Comparison on Social Media

• What you see online is often curated—not the full truth.

👉 Doom scrolling

-Continuously scrolling through negative or stressful content (bad news, drama, conflicts).
-Even when it makes you feel worse, it’s hard to stop.
-This can increase stress, sadness, and emotional exhaustion.

• Just because content is endless doesn’t mean it’s healthy to keep consuming it.

-Late-night screen use affects sleep quality and brain rest.
-Notifications and constant checking reduce attention span and focus in class.
-Lack of sleep can impact mood, memory, and decision-making.

• Digital citizenship includes taking care of your mental health.

If your middle or high school student is online, they’re probably using AI. Tools like ChatGPT, Character.AI, and Snapchat’s My AI are everywhere. Many students use them for homework help, creative projects, or just chatting when they’re bored. AI can be helpful, but it can also create real risks for young people’s mental health.

As a parent, you don’t need to be a tech expert to keep your child safe. You just need to understand what’s happening with AI and mental health and know what to watch for.

No matter how advanced technology becomes, schools succeed because of people. Strong relationships between teachers and students, trust with families, and leadership focused on student well-being will always matter more than any tool, including AI.

Thirty-three percent of teens use AI companions for social interaction and relationships, including conversation practice, emotional support, role-playing, friendship, or romantic interactions. Nearly half (46%) of teens view AI companions primarily as tools or programs, while 33% indicated that they don't use AI companions, or that they use them in ways not captured by the survey options.

• Educate students about the privacy risks of sharing personal information with AI systems.
• Establish protocols for supporting students who may be using AI companions instead of seeking professional help from a human for serious issues.

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Call/Text 988
• School counselor / trusted adult
• Platform reporting tools

👉Student leaders can:

• Shut down harmful behavior

• Promote kindness publicly

• Redirect group chats

• Normalize taking breaks from social media
• Encourage healthy online habits
• Check in on peers who seem overwhelmed

👉Commit to:

• Think before posting

• Speak up against online harm

• Protect their peers’ dignity

• Model respectful online behavior

👉“Leadership doesn’t end when you log in.”

👉REMEMBER...

What happens online DOESN'T stay online—it impacts school culture, safety, and reputation.

SEL Coordinator

aaforti@gisd.k12.nm.us

School Counseling Specialist

mamendoza@gisd.k12.nm.us