Digital Leader Summit

KidsMatter, in partnership with Naperville Community School District 203 and Indian Prairie School District 204, develops programming to help K-8 students understand the importance of positive digital citizenship. In alignment with the KidsMatter mission to build resilient kids who say “no” to destructive choices and “yes” to endless opportunities, D203 Learning Commons Directors created and facilitated an annual KidsMatter Digital Leader Summit This program is designed to empower students to realize their leadership possibilities, combat cyberbullying, and educate their peers on creating a positive digital footprint. Students are encouraged to be “UpStanders” within their schools and learn about how they can be a positive influence and take a stand in their community.

The program leverages the Google Be Internet Awesome Curriculum and Common Sense Media resources to assist students to develop a positive digital footprint. In addition, the program incorporates the 7 Domains of the Illinois Internet Safety Act.

• Safe and responsible use of the internet
• Recognizing, avoiding, and reporting online solicitations
• Risks of transmitting personal information on the internet
• Recognizing and reporting online harassment and cyberbullying
• Reporting illegal online activities and communications
• Understanding copyright laws on written materials, photographs, music and video

After participating in various sessions based on the Be Internet Awesome Curriculum, students will collaboratively create a plan to share their learning with their peers, teachers, school leaders, family, and friends. Lesson topics for these sessions include the following:

• Share With Care
• Don’t Fall for Fake
• Secure Your Secrets
• It’s Cool to Be Kind

Google provides follow-up resources focused on this learning that families can utilize at home. Students can even challenge themselves to learn more through the web-based digital citizenship game Interland, based on the Be Internet Awesome lessons.