Questions to ask yourself as a digital citizen
We hear a lot about digital citizenship, but what does it really mean? Take a look at these questions to reflect on your own digital habits, and don’t miss this quick guide from MediaSmarts Canada! Media Smart’s Canada Centre for Digital Media Literacy
Not sure where to start? You’re in the right place.
You don’t need to be an expert to care about digital life. Maybe you…
- Scrolled past something harmful and wondered what to do.
- Talked to your kid about screen time.
- Questioned whether your feed is really showing you the whole picture.
That’s digital citizenship — and this page is your first guide. Here, you’ll find resources for parents, students, educators, and anyone curious about life online. Whether you’re 15 or 50, learning to navigate the digital world is part of being human today. So let’s start where you are.
For teens & young adults
📱 Take Control of Your Feed – Center for Humane Technology
- Tips to manage attention, reduce doomscrolling, and escape the algorithm loop.
- Stories about how the internet impacts real lives, from privacy to digital identity.
For parents & caregivers
👨👩👧 Common Sense Media: Parents’ Ultimate Guides to Apps & Platforms
- Understand the platforms your child uses — and how to talk about them.
📘 Digital Citizenship for Families Toolkit – ConnectSafely
- Conversation starters, safety tips, and tech habits for the whole family.
For educators & community leaders
🧑🏫 Digital Citizenship Curriculum – Common Sense Education
- Free K-12 curriculum on digital safety, privacy, media balance, and more.
🧩 News Literacy Project: Checkology
- FInteractive lessons on journalism, misinformation, bias, and verification.
🌍 UNESCO Media and Information Literacy Resources
- Global tools and policy recommendations for teaching digital awareness.
GAMES FOR DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP
Goal: A discussion-based activity to explore real-life decisions in media and the digital world. Participants are invited to think about real-life situations in media creation, technology, and digital life — and how to navigate them ethically and mindfully.
🎬 Film & Video Creation
- You’re filming a documentary in your neighborhood. One person in the background gestures that they don’t want to be filmed, but it’s the best shot of your day. What do you do?
- A friend helps you with a video project but asks not to be credited. Do you respect their wishes, even if you think the credit could help them?
- You interview someone who shares a powerful story. Later, they message you saying they’re no longer comfortable with it being shared. What’s your responsibility?
🎨 Digital Art, Photography & Design
- You find a viral artwork online that perfectly fits the aesthetic you want. You’re not sure who made it. What do you do?
- You used a design AI tool and it generated something beautiful. A friend says it looks a lot like an artist’s work they follow. Should you be concerned?
- You’re designing a poster for an event and want to use a music artist’s photo. You found it on Google. Can you use it?
📱 Social Media & Online Communication
- Someone sends you a meme that you find funny — but you’re not sure if it’s offensive to others. Do you post it?
- You see your friend posting personal details (like their location or family issues) on their public Instagram story. Do you say something?
- A classmate made a mistake in a group project and people are making jokes in a group chat. Do you join in? Stay silent? Step in?
- You’re editing a reel that includes trending audio — but TikTok warns that the sound is copyrighted. Do you post anyway?
- You create a beautiful piece of art and post it on your portfolio. A week later, someone reposts it without credit. What can you do? What should they have done?