As technology continues to reshape childhood, schools are responding with updated tools to help students navigate the digital world more safely and thoughtfully. Common Sense Media has unveiled a major revision to its widely used digital citizenship curriculum, now called the Digital Literacy and Well-Being Curriculum. Designed for students in kindergarten through eighth grade, this refreshed program aims to equip kids with the skills they need to thrive in today’s tech-driven environment. With topics like artificial intelligence, parasocial relationships, and deepfakes becoming more relevant, this curriculum update is timely and necessary for both educators and families.

This new curriculum is already available and free for schools to use. According to Common Sense Media, it currently reaches 92,000 schools across the country, including 84% of Title 1 schools. The previous version, last updated in 2018, had become increasingly outdated as the digital landscape evolved. The organization recognized that children today are growing up in a world where technology is not just a tool but a constant presence in their lives. As Eisha Buch, MeD, head of teaching and learning at Common Sense Media, explained, the goal was to create a curriculum that could adapt to new technologies while offering lasting value. “We wanted to evolve the curriculum and yet also span the test of time as it relates to the new technologies...and really focus in on what it means for kids to thrive in this tech-filled, always 'on' world.”

The updated digital citizenship lessons have been redesigned with both students and teachers in mind. One of the most significant changes is the reduction in lesson length—from 45 minutes to just 20. This adjustment acknowledges the time constraints many educators face and makes it easier to incorporate the curriculum into busy school days. The new version is also more interactive, encouraging student engagement through relatable scenarios and classroom discussions. Buch noted that the design process took two years and included feedback from educators, teaching experts, and classroom trials to ensure the content was both effective and accessible.

Stephanie Banning, a former educator and consultant with over two decades of experience, praised the curriculum’s ability to spark meaningful conversations among students. She observed that even students who are typically hesitant to participate are finding their voices during these lessons. “The students are so engaged when we do these activities because they are real,” Banning shared. “They see these scenarios and understand them, so they engage and debate and talk about these topics.”

This approach goes beyond simply telling students what not to do online. It invites them to think critically about real-life situations they might encounter, such as what to do when personal information is shared or how to respond to misleading online content. I found this detail striking because it highlights how the curriculum is not just about rules—it’s about empowering kids to make thoughtful decisions in complex digital environments.

Another key feature of the revised curriculum is its emphasis on family engagement. Recognizing that learning doesn't stop at the classroom door, Common Sense Media has introduced new resources for parents to support digital literacy at home. Among these are “carpool conversations,” short audio clips that prompt discussions between parents and children during everyday moments like driving or walking together. Buch emphasized that these conversations are designed to be low-stakes and non-judgmental, helping families explore tricky tech-related topics in a relatable and approachable way. “It also helps parents model that even as adults, we can have tricky feelings around life with tech,” she added.

These family activities are tailored to align with the topics students are learning in school, making it easier for parents to reinforce key lessons at home. This integration of school and home learning supports a more holistic approach to teaching kids how to use technology responsibly, safely, and with intention.

While the new curriculum is available immediately, the original version will remain accessible until June 2026, giving schools ample time to transition. For educators interested in adopting the new program, a one-hour asynchronous professional development course will launch on August 18, 2025. Upon completion, participants will receive a certificate, further supporting the curriculum’s ease of implementation.

Parents who are curious about whether their child’s school is using the new Digital Literacy and Well-Being Curriculum are encouraged to reach out to teachers or administrators. If it’s not currently in use, sharing information about the program’s availability—and the fact that it’s free—could help bring it to more classrooms. With its focus on real-world application, critical thinking, and family involvement, this curriculum represents a thoughtful and timely update to how digital literacy is taught in schools.

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