Digital Citizenship Module

Lesson 3: Digital Wellbeing

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Part 1

Cultivating a positive online experience

You can take an active role in cultivating a positive online experience for yourself and others by doing the following things:

• Be a responsible community member online
• Think before you act
• Respect others

Be a responsible community member online

• Just as you should be responsible with how you interact with others in person, you should also be responsible for your interactions online.
• Be sure to understand the expectations and parameters for interacting with others in any online community where you are a member.
• Try to always be positive and respectful in your interactions with others to create constructive and safe online communities.
• Practice empathy online by trying to understand another person’s experience or researching the other side of a situation or argument

Think before you act

Before you post or share anything online, think about how your content will impact your online identity and reputation and those you mention or tag.

Think not only about the immediate consequences but also the long-term effects of what you share. Maybe you get into an argument with someone online and want to post inflammatory or negative comments about them, but think about what a future employer might think if they see this type of content from you later on.

Respect others

Just as you have expectations about your privacy, so do others. Other people also work to develop and maintain control over their online identity and reputation.

Because people have different definitions of personal privacy and different levels of comfort with sharing personal information online, it is important to consider other people’s privacy before posting or sharing something.

• If someone shares something with you in a private messaging space, you should not share that information in public spaces.
• If someone shares content with you, before sharing with others think about how they might interpret that information. Different people might have different interpretations of the content.
• If you aren’t sure if someone would be comfortable with you sharing something about them, ask before posting.

Expand your worldview by exploring multiple perspectives on an issue or topic, and avoid posting or reposting content without thinking about its impact on others

How to handle trolls

A troll is someone on the Internet who intentionally posts inflammatory messages to start arguments, conflicts or cause upset to others. Trolls try to disrupt discussion in places like chat rooms, comments sections of articles or websites, discussion boards, or social media posts.

If someone else is being negative or a troll,” don’t engage with them.

Instead, use the appropriate tools within a platform for reporting inappropriate behavior or content.

Part 2

Maintaining well-being and managing screen time

There are many positives to interacting with others online. Social media can connect us with diverse individuals and groups around the world, keep us connected with family, help us stay engaged within our community, including creating or cascading local warnings, and learn about new topics.

However, it is important to think about moderation and positive well-being to make sure you have a healthy relationship with social media and other digital tools.

Managing screen time

Managing screen time can help you with your well-being and ensure you have a healthy relationship with technology.

• Most apps and devices have a way for you to check or monitor your activity. Surprised or upset by what you see within a certain app, platform, or device? Consider reducing your engagement with that app or device.
• Another screen management tool is setting daily limits or reminders for the amount of time you spend on a certain app, platform, or device. These tools can send you alerts or notifications when you’ve spent a certain amount of time on that app or platform, and sometimes even turn off your access to that app or platform for the remainder of the day.
• If you have trouble ignoring notifications, turn them off. Try muting notifications during times that you want to be disconnected, or putting your device in a different location.
• Avoid using electronic devices right before bedtime. Set some time for self-care and do offline activities before you go to sleep.
• Consider what you do with your screen time and how it can add or subtract value to your life. Use technology to improve your life.
• Remember that you don’t have to post everything in real time. Take a few photos, then try to enjoy the moment. You can always post later.

Discussion/Self-Reflection

• How can I use technology and screen time to connect with others, learn, and grow as a person?
• What are some examples of positive interactions you have had with others online?

Positive online relationships

Creating positive online relationships can make your time online much more meaningful. Most online platforms provide tools and resources to help support you in doing this.

Online dating applications and social media platforms make it easier for people to connect and develop relationships. Be sure to keep interactions positive. Use the tools that you learned about in Lesson 1 to keep yourself safe or stop interactions before they become problematic.

The Highlight reel

Digital devices allow us constant access to information and instant gratification. The time you spend online is ideally intentional, positive and inspiring.However, the ability to escape into a screen can sometimes take us away from the present moment and can become problematic if not used in moderation.

FOMO is the “fear of missing out.” This is a type of social anxiety that can arise when you feel left out or anxious when you see other people posting about exciting or interesting events on social media. To combat FOMO, remember that people’s social media profiles are often highly curated to present highlights from their life. You are seeing the best parts of someone else’s experiences, not a comprehensive picture of their daily life.

Discussion/Self-Reflection

• Have you ever experienced FOMO?
• Think about what you post on your social media profiles. What information do you leave out and what do you choose to share?
• What are your reasons for sharing or not sharing?

Visual manipulation and self-image

In the Media Literacy Module, you learned about content providers using visual manipulation to spread disinformation. Individuals can also use visual manipulation to give themselves what appears to be an instant digital makeover.However, seeing edited images can impact our mental well-being. If you are constantly seeing flawless images presented as reality, it can cause harmful thoughts and give you unrealistic expectations about your own beauty and self-image.

Social media sites often include visual filters that let you alter or enhance your appearance. Filters can be used for artistic purposes, self-expression or fun.However, it’s important to remember not to rely on filters to feel good about yourself.

Also keep in mind that other people might be using filters constantly to present a specific image of themselves. Don’t try to compare your true self to someone else’s curated or filtered self.

Discussion/Self-Reflection

• Have you ever encountered digitally altered images? How did they make you feel?

Additional Resources

• Pressure to Be Perfect | Instagram x The Jed Foundation
• Managing Your Screen Time While Staying Home (AARP)
• 10 Safety Tips for Online Dating (Safety.com)
• Online Dating: The Virtues and Downsides (Pew Research Center)
• Technology and Relationships: The Pros and Cons (Compass by WebMD)

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