Message to Families Link to this section
Today's students are born into a world of technology so how do we parent in the digital age? Our role is to guide them so they can navigate safely, conduct themselves ethically, and represent a positive self image online. SFUSD is committed to educating our student's on Digital Agency, formerly Digital Citizenship.
We recognize that our students need explicit instruction to become their own Digital Agents who can successfully manage their Digital Lives to promote a happy and healthy online self image.
Elementary Family Resources
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Topic 1: My Digital Life
There is their home life, school life, and also their digital life, we acknowledge that students' Digital Lives are unique.
Topic 2: Digital Footprint
Our Digital Footprint is the trail of our activities online. Students learning what information is ok to share and what information should be kept private prepares them to manage their digital trail successfully throughout their Digital Life.
Topic 3: Media Balance
Today's kids need to be able to find a sense of balance in their Digital Lives. It's important that children recognize and have agency around finding a healthy media balance between their Digital Lives and their real lives.
Topic 4: Privacy and Security
Privacy & Security focuses on online privacy and the risk of sharing personal information online. Students and families can take a balanced approach by looking at both the rewards and dangers of sharing private information online.
Middle School Family Resources
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Grade 6-8 Family Infographics
Click through to see a preview of each infographic covering the following topics:
- My Digital Life
- Media Balance
- Gaming
- Social Media and the Brain
- Body Image
- Small Changes to Big Habits Around Social Media
- Algorithm Bias
- Digital Kindness
Common Sense Media Family Resources
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SFUSD partners with Common Sense Media to provide our community with resources on many questions you have about your child and media including information on movies, apps, and different articles on many different topics.
The Family Online Safety Institute also offers a wealth of articles and information on parenting online - https://www.fosi.org/tools-and-resources-for-parents - Filter by topic or search for specific topic to find articles and resources to help guide parents.
Family Workshops
Use these toolkits to help families nurture young children's development in the digital age. Facilitate meaningful conversations with parents and caregivers with these workshops, available in English and Spanish. Share strategies to help young kids develop essential life skills, both with and without the use of screens.
- Raising Healthy Kids in a Digital World in English & Spanish
- Think about how technology has changed in our lifetimes, and discuss the benefits and challenges of raising kids in today's online world.
- Finding Balance with Media and Tech Use at Home in English & Spanish
- Explore how to establish a healthy balance of activities for our children, with and without media and tech.
- Choosing High-Quality Media for Your Kids in English & Spanish
- Highlight the importance of choosing high-quality media content for kids, plus get resources to help make informed decisions.
- How to Make Meaningful Family Connections Using Media and Tech in English & Spanish
- Learn about the benefits of co-using media with kids, and practice using questioning strategies to strengthen important early childhood skills.
- Introducing Online Safety to Young Kids in English & Spanish
- Explore how to introduce digital citizenship and online safety in an accessible way to young children.
- How to Use Media and Tech to Build Life Skills in Young Kids in English & Spanish
- Discuss and reflect on how media and technology can affect key areas of children's development.
- Dealing with Digital Drama in English & Spanish
- We've all seen it. Learn how drama escalates online, and help older kids and teens avoid and de-escalate mean or harmful online behavior.
- Friendships and Boundaries in English & Spanish
- Communication is key. Reflect on text messaging, and learn new ways to help older kids and teens set boundaries.
- Who Are You on Social Media? in English & Spanish
- Social media can be complicated for all of us. Reflect on social media use, share experiences, and learn new ways to talk to older kids and teens about their online lives.
- Who You’re Talking to Online in English & Spanish
- Make safety a priority. Learn to better understand older kids' and teens' online lives, and give them new strategies for supporting healthy online relationships.
Screen Time Management
Common Sense Media focuses on providing families with the information and resources on Screen Time with articles, guides, and tips. You can search based on a age level or by topic. Below are some of the Common Sense Tip Sheets, Family Device Plans, and a Media Log to help your family navigate screen time in a positive manner. Check out more resources from Common Sense Media on Screen Time
- Screen Time Media Log
- Family Technology Plans:
- Customizable Family Device Contract
- Managing Screen Time Tip Sheet
- Distraction, Multitasking, and Time Management Tip Sheet
Social Media
Common Sense Media focuses on providing families with the information and resources on Social Media with articles, guides, and tips. You can search based on a age level or by topic. Check out more resources from Common Sense Media on Social Media.
- Commonly Used Social Media apps
- Social Media Guides
- Social Media & Body Image Family Tip Sheet
- Selfie Culture Family Tip Sheet
Cyberbullying
Common Sense Media focuses on providing families with the information and resources on Cyberbullying with articles, guides, and tips. You can search based on a age level or by topic. If your child is having issues from Cyberbulling, please make sure to notify the school and build a plan of support for your child at school and also check out more resources from Common Sense Media on Cyberbullying.
Teenagers
Common Sense Media focuses on providing families with the information and resources on Teens with articles, guides, and tips. You can search based on a age level or by topic. Supporting teens in their Digital Life can be challenging, below are some additional resources and there are more resources and inforamation at Common Sense Media on Teens.
- Additional Teen Online Support:
Online Safety
Common Sense Media focuses on providing families with the information and resources on Online Safety with articles, guides, and tips. You can search based on a age level or by topic. Check out more resources from Common Sense Media on Online Safety.
Parental Controls
Common Sense Media focuses on providing families with the information and resources on Parental Controls with articles, guides, and tips. You can search based on age level or by topic. Check out more Parental Controls resources from Common Sense Media on iPhone, Android, PC, Mac for your family.
- Parental Control Guides:
This page was last updated on January 30, 2025