Digital Citizenship: Breaking the Culture of Mean

TIE has produced its fourth workshop on DVD titled Digital Citizenship: Breaking the Culture of Mean If you would like to receive this DVD, become a TIE Member today!
View the trailer or purchase the DVD.

Digital Citizenship: Breaking the Culture of Mean provides the skills and insights educators need to help students navigate their way out of a dark world of meanness where cruelty among our nation’s adolescents is accepted, sometimes encouraged. In this world, bullying is no longer confined to school corridors or city streets. Cyberbullies launch attacks through cell phones, computers and other digital devices.

This DVD offers viewpoints from teachers, students, school administrators and district technology specialists. Young people describe giving little thought to sexting or creating cruel online posts regarding their hapless peers. Their victims share feelings of hopelessness and isolation when untrue messages and posts go viral, spiraling out of control.

Experts suggest using technology to break down the culture of mean and to build digital citizenship. As the digital world evolves and embraces its own set of ethics, educators can help young people grow into good digital citizens. A concluding set of questions offers a framework for discussing school environment as it exists in the digital age.

If you’d like a printed handout with the discussion questions from the Digital Citizenship DVD, please feel free to download and print this page.