Setting the Stage
Navigating the digital world is a big responsibility at any age. While age requirements can vary, most platforms
require users to be at least 13, however there are a handful of apps and websites that cater to younger audiences.
Whether or not you choose to be online is up to you and your family. However, for students who are active on social
media with their family's support, these guidelines are here to help you build a positive and safe digital footprint.
Create Your Digital Image
Your Reputation
Your reputation is based on what you say and do. Want others to see you as friendly? Smile and say “hi” to people.
Want others to see you as smart? Raise your hand when you know the answer in class. Want to be seen as funny? Tell
jokes.
This is true both in person and online. Online we call your reputation your “online image.” It’s harder to control
your online image than the one you create in person because:
- More people can see what you say and do, as well as info posted about you, when it is online. Think about these
people as your invisible audience. A post that you and your friends would see as a joke might be seen in a different
way by others. Plus, those friends can share it with their other friends—people who may not know you at all.
- Once something is online, it never really goes away. All of the information online about you, whether posted by you
or others, makes up your online image. Later on, someone can read your post. They may be seeing it for the first
time.
- How you act online should reflect who you are (or try to be) in person. Anything you post can make someone feel
happy or hurt.
Be Your Best Self Online
Try to act online the way you want others to act toward you. For example, would you want to be yelled at in public? Of
course not. So, instead of just posting an angry response if a friend’s post made you mad, tell them privately how you
feel. You may want to ask them to delete it. An easy rule to remember is “praise publicly and criticize privately.”
This is true both online and in person.
- Before you finish a post, ask yourself:
- Will my post:
- Help someone learn something?
- Make someone feel good?
- Be liked by others?
- How would I feel if:
- It was so popular that thousands of people watched it and it went viral?
- A friend, enemy, family member, or neighbor saw it?
- People were talking about it at school?
This is true whether you post as yourself, or a character in a game. Even if you use an avatar, you are still you. So,
write in a way that will make you feel proud, not sorry, when you look back on your past posts. By acting safely,
correctly, and respectfully online, you are a good digital citizen.
Be Positive
Being smart about how you act online can help you make more friends and connect with others who like the things you
like. Here are some examples of how you can use social media in positive ways:
- Comment with useful info that will help others learn something new. One example is to share a link to a how-to video
about the topic you are commenting on.
- Ask for help with homework.
- Share how you’re learning something you’re proud of, so others can learn from you. For example: you have recently
learned how to identify edible plants in your local park and you make a video so your friends can also learn how.
- Find and connect with people who are successful in any area of interest to you.
- Work together with classmates to complete a group assignment.
Know Who You’re Talking To
When you post, you may be sharing your thoughts, pictures, comments, and info about yourself with anybody. Even when
you’re just posting to friends, it’s possible that a teacher, grandmother, or even someone in another country will see
your post. Because you can’t really control who sees what, make sure your posts add positively to your online image.
Align Your Image with Your Goals
Your digital footprint is the impression you leave online. Any time you’ve commented on someone’s post, video, or
picture you leave an impression behind. This happens In Real Life too. But online comments and images leave a
permanent record. After all, IRL people may forget the mean thing you said or did—especially if you’ve apologized to
them. But your online actions remain long after you post an apology or click “delete.” What’s more, there’s no
guarantee that people will even find—or read— your apology within a given thread. Instead, they’ll judge you by the
first comment they see.
First Impressions
That’s why it’s important to be thoughtful about what you share online and consider how it would look to others—both
those who know you and those who don’t. After all, many schools and employers search social media before accepting
students and hiring interns and workers. And what they see about you in an online search may be the first—and
only—impression they get of you.
How Tos
You can use social media to show your interests in positive, and academic, ways. You can:
- Comment on articles and posts in a smart way
- Ask others for more information about their post
- Comment thoughtfully on posts from experts in your areas of interest
- Highlight your accomplishments—share what was involved on that class project, concert, or community activity that
you did.
Stand Behind Your Words
You should always take responsibility for what you post on all social media. While you may think that using a fake
name prevents posts from becoming part of your footprint, there are still ways to link that info to the person who
posted it (for example, through an internet address or other specific information). Be your best self online. This
means posting truthful information. It also means being responsible about what you say.
Families Can Be Helpful Partners
Did you know that your parents are responsible for what you do online? That’s why it’s important to share with them
what you’re doing—and why. Here are a few ways you can do that:
- Share your digital footprint with your family and see what they think
- Discuss with your family what information is fine to share and what should remain private
- Think about your family’s rules
Of course, this works both ways. ask to see what your family wants to post about you, your siblings, and your friends.
Come up with a set of rules everyone can live with.
Keep in mind that because technology is always changing, you may know more about social media than your parents. You
may want to show your family members what you’ve learned about creating a digital image.
Advice
“If you want to be taken seriously and professionally, you must have an online identity that matches your purpose. If
you want respect and credibility online, be deliberate about choosing a profile image, content, and name that
represents the “you” you want the world to see.” – Monique Coleman Actress, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist
Post Responsibly–Be Mindful of Your Audience
Social Media Use for School is an Extension of Your Classroom
When you use social media, treat the work as an extension of who you are at school. Remember, in most cases, the same
rules apply online as they do in school. For example, if you would not make fun of a classmate in English class, do
not do it online either. Also remember not to tag student posts, photos, or videos unless your teacher, the student,
and their parent give you permission. This will help make sure it is not visible to people who should not see it.
Put Your Best Foot Forward
People of all ages sometimes act differently on social media than they would “face-to-face.” This is because they may
think that since they are not talking in person they won’t be blamed for their actions. This is not the case. Because
of the nature of the digital world, you should be as responsible, if not more, when online. Since you never know who
will be reading what you share online, always assume that anyone could. Ask yourself if you would be okay with a
parent or relative seeing it. If not, think about a better way to say what you want to say.
Pause Before You Post
Once a comment is posted online, you cannot later say, “Never mind.” It may seem funny or harmless when you post it,
but it could hurt someone’s feelings. Take time to think about whether a post will be hurtful or embarrassing or
whether it could affect yours or someone’s future. For example, if you post a mean or nasty comment online because you
were mad, this may end up making you a bad choice in the mind of a future employer or school. Online posts can never
be completely deleted. This means it is important to make sure that each post is something you want to live with.
Advice
“Using social media with my students has helped me strengthen relationships with them. It has also enabled me to
understand and support my students as bullying issues at school or online bubble up. Students know that if there is a
problem, I am here to help them, not just in the classroom but also online.” – Anna Dawidowska, Teacher, Grover
Cleveland High School, NYC Public Schools
Consider the Consequences
Personal Use of Social Media May Have an Effect at School
Most of the time it is easy to tell whether a social media use is school-related or personal. Other times it’s hard to
tell the difference. Sometimes, personal social media use, even afterschool, may result in trouble at school. When
this happens, the school may need to get involved. This could include disciplinary action such as a parent conference
or suspension. It is important to remember that hurtful actions outlined in the
Discipline Code
also apply to online communication. To be safe, be in control of what you do online, even if it is during personal
time. For example, if your classmate is tagging you in rude posts, do not answer in the same way. Instead, stay
positive, do what you know is right. Consider blocking or reporting this person to an adult.
Protect Yourself
There are many ways to protect yourself online. For example, only accept friend requests from people you know. You may
interact online with people you have never met in person. If you do, use caution. Find out as much as you can about
the person. Ask a parent for permission if you plan to meet one of these people face to face. Also, while it is
important to be yourself online, remember not to post too many personal details (such as where you live, your phone
number, or your Social Security number). Sharing that information can be dangerous. Do not share passwords with
friends. Also, be sure not to let computers save passwords. Always log off when you have finished using a site. Do not
just click out of the browser.
Watch Out for Sextortion and Online Predators
Sextortion — when someone pressures you to send a nude or sexual image and then threatens to share it unless you pay
or send more — has become one of the most common online crimes targeting young people. The person on the other end is
often not who they claim to be. If anyone, even someone who seems like a friend, asks for an explicit image: don’t
send it, take a screenshot, block them, and tell a trusted adult immediately. If it has already happened, you are not
in trouble and you are not alone. Get help right away from a parent, school counselor, or your school’s Respect for
All Liaison. You can also report it to the FBI tip line at tips.fbi.gov or to the National Center for Missing &
Exploited Children’s
CyberTipline.
The Take It Down service at TakeItDown.NCMEC.org, can help remove explicit images of minors from major
platforms.
Adjust Your Privacy Settings
Privacy settings are set by default by social media platforms — and those defaults are usually the most public option.
This is where you decide who can see your posts, how information is linked, and what data is available to the public.
Each social media platform has different privacy setting defaults. Apps may change those settings without telling you,
so review your privacy settings regularly — especially after an app update. You should decide whether to change the
default settings to make your posts more or less private. For example, if you are creating a personal site to promote
a social or political issue, you most likely want to make that site open to everyone. However, if you want to discuss
a project you are doing in class, it may be better to limit access only to a small group of classmates.
Take Care of Your Mental Health
Apps and platforms use algorithms that are built to keep you scrolling for a long time. Research shows that heavy
social media use is linked to higher rates of anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and negative body image. Youth are
especially at risk. Remember that what you see on social media is not real life. People share their best moments, not
their everyday struggles. Notice how different apps and accounts make you feel. Unfollow or mute any account that
often makes you feel worse. Set daily time limits. Turn off notifications you do not need. Keep your phone out of your
bedroom at night. If social media is making you feel worse, or if you are having thoughts of hurting yourself, talk to
a trusted adult. You can also call or text 988 (the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) at any time, for free.
Phones During the School Day
NYC Public Schools requires you to keep your personal smartphone, smartwatch, and other internet-enabled devices
stored away during the entire school day.
This policy
includes lunch time and time between classes. The rule applies from the start of the school day until dismissal. (This
is sometimes called a “bell to bell” policy.) The rule supports your focus, your in-person friendships, and your
overall well-being. Your school will tell you where to store your device. Your school will also tell you what to do if
a family member needs to reach you during the school day.
Advice
“When I apply for part-time work or internships during college, I make sure employers know to look at my digital
footprint, which demonstrates that I have the skill set they want. I ensure my resume contains links to social media
sites. This is fantastic for showing what I’m capable of and for giving employers background about me and my work.” –
Armond McFadden, Chelsea Vocational High School Alumni
Take Threats of Cyberbullying Seriously
Cyberbullying Takes Many Forms
Cyberbullying is the use of online technology to hurt or harm other people. Examples include sending mean or harassing
messages, posting comments meant to humiliate someone or spread rumors, sharing embarrassing photos or videos without
consent, creating fake accounts to impersonate someone, deliberately excluding others from group chats, or sharing
AI-generated images (deepfakes) of a peer.
Sometimes, it may be difficult to draw the line. It can be confusing to tell the difference between a harmless joke
and one which goes too far and becomes hurtful.
Chancellor's Regulation A-832 Student-to-Student Discrimination, Harassment, Intimidation and/or Bullying
has a complete overview of what behavior counts as cyberbullying.
Report the Behavior and Get Help
If you are being cyberbullied or know about someone else being cyberbullied, report the behavior and get help. Ways to
report
You can find their contact information on the RFA posters around the school building or ask your principal. Call or
text 988 anytime for mental health support. If no adult is available and you or someone else is in danger, call 911.
The Discipline Code
and
Chancellor’s Regulations A-830: Anti-Discrimination Policy and Procedures for Filing Internal Complaints of
Discrimination and A-832 : Student-to-Student Discrimination, Harassment, Intimidation and/or Bullying
also discuss what to do when you become aware of harassing behavior. Students who violate those rules may be subject
to discipline.
Know What to Do
It is important not to answer or forward any harassing or bullying content. “De-friend,” block, or remove people who
send inappropriate content. It may also be a good idea to save harassing messages. This proof could be important to
show an adult if the behavior continues. If the behavior is school-related, print out the messages. Provide them to
the school when you report the incident. Do not email them. If you have questions about reporting incidents, the NYC
Public Schools Respect for All materials provide more information about support and reporting guidelines for your
school. You can also send an email to
RespectForAll@schools.nyc.gov
.
Advice
“At our school, students know that if there is ever any drama that carries over to the online world, our teachers and
principal have our back. We can go right to them if need be. When we do, I don’t know how they do it exactly, but they
make sure they always put an end to it. This makes for a more positive online experience for all of us.” – Kevin
Torres, Hudson High School.