Students across Ottawa's Catholic schools are being asked to bring the same kindness and good judgment they show in the hallway into their online lives, as the Ottawa Catholic School Board marks Digital Citizenship Day.
According to the Ottawa Catholic School Board, students today can connect with friends, explore new ideas and find answers almost instantly on a screen — but not everything they encounter online is true, not everyone they meet has good intentions, and the choices they make online can have very real consequences.
The board says being a good digital citizen goes beyond staying safe. It's about knowing right from wrong, treating others with kindness and respect, and making thoughtful choices even when no one is watching.
Parents play a key role
The board is also reaching out to families, saying parents play a crucial role in helping children develop the skills they need to navigate the digital landscape. It encourages regular conversations at home about online experiences, social media, gaming, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and digital reputation.
Those talks, the board says, help children make informed decisions and know where to turn for support when something goes wrong. Building trust and keeping communication open are described as the most effective strategies for helping children navigate the online world safely.
A program with roots in the classroom
Digital Citizenship Day aligns with the board's Samaritan on the Digital Road Program, which encourages students to be caring, responsible members of their school communities. Just as students are called to show kindness, respect and compassion in person, the program asks them to bring those same values to their screens.
That can mean standing up to cyberbullying, supporting a peer, reporting inappropriate content or simply using technology responsibly, the board says.
Resources for families
The board has gathered material on its Safe, Smart and Responsible Online webpage, which it says brings together information for families guiding their children through the digital world — whether a child is just starting to explore technology or is already active on social media.
For parents unsure how to begin, the board points to the Ontario Digital Families resource, which offers practical advice and conversation starters on everything from social media and gaming to privacy, artificial intelligence and healthy screen habits. An infographic from Ontario's Cyber Security Awareness program also offers simple ways to support positive digital well-being and healthy technology habits at home.
The board's message to families is that technology will keep changing, but the values taught to children remain the same. By working together, it says, families and schools can help students make good choices, treat others with respect and become responsible digital citizens.
