A Note About Digital Citizenship

Dear Cunningham Park Families,

The news lately has indicated an online hoax is going around, in particular targeting YouTube users.

Keeping our children safe and happy under any circumstance comes down to one major thing: maintaining open communication. Open communication between the child and parent remains the one essential constant whether we’re talking about stranger awareness, appropriate relationships, online digital citizenship, and any area of student safety and wellness.

When children feel safe talking to a trusted adult without being judged, it is amazing what parents are able to learn. And when parents are aware of their children’s true concerns and worries, parents can take appropriate action to keep children happy and safe.

When it comes online activity, Fairfax County Public Schools recommends a four-pronged approach for supporting children:

  • establish expectations by developing and enforcing media and device plans with their children
  • select and use age-appropriate media (games, apps, videos, books, etc.)
  • use parental controls to support your child
  • mediate your child’s technology use by using it with them 

FCPS further advises that using technology with your children provides opportunities to:

  • talk about content and help your children understand and interpret what they experience
  • share and discuss your own experiences
  • model and promote safe, respectful, and healthy practices
  • enjoy time together

Additional online support for parents can be found by visiting FCPS’ Digital Citizenship: Establishing Expectations at Home and at Digital Citizenship Resources for Families.

At Cunningham Park, we are close to becoming a Digital Citizenship Certified school, which means we have been actively teaching our students about appropriate online behavior.

For questions regarding technology, reach out to our School Based Technology Specialist, Dr. Keri Mina, for information on mental health, contact our counselor, Lisa Lujan, and with any other thoughts or questions, feel free to reach out to our Assistant Principal, Jon Kemmerer, or me.

Together, CPES and our families can make great strides to keep our children safe and happy. Thank you for your partnership.

Sincerely,

Katie Le, Principal