Common Sense Media’s teacher-approved, research-backed curriculum has been the gold standard for more than 15 years. We’ve updated the curriculum over the years, but the brand-new Digital Literacy and Well-Being Curriculum is more than a simple update — it’s our reimagined understanding of what digital literacy and well-being education needs to be, across six key topics:
- Healthy Tech Habits
- Privacy & Safety
- Relationships & Communication
- Digital Footprint & Identity
- Cyberbullying & Online Harms
- Information & Media Literacy
Here’s what’s inside:
- Nearly 150 new lessons, including AI literacy lessons with a recommended scope and sequence for each grade.
- New family resources to help reinforce responsible digital habits at home.
- Shorter lessons and flexible formats, including 20-minute mini-lessons that make it easier for teachers to integrate digital literacy into their already busy schedules.
- Interactive and play-based learning.
- A stronger emphasis on mental health and well-being, which is more important than ever in a world where kids constantly feel pressure to compare themselves to others.
- New professional development resources for teachers.
Integrate digital literacy and well-being into your classroom—no matter the grade you teach.
1. Make It Part of Your Classroom Culture
- Create a Digital Learning Pledge K-5 and 6-12.
- Use morning meetings or advisory time for short check-ins around the rules and expectations for healthy digital habits in our classroom.
- When students see digital literacy and well-being as just “how we do things,” it sticks.
2. Bite Sized Lessons Make a Big Impact
Each lesson is 20 minutes and full of engaging activities that are sure to spark a rich discussion in your classrooms. Here is an inside look at some of my favorite lessons!
- Grades K-2 – Meet the Digital Citizens, our six fabulous characters!
- Grades 3-5 –Privacy Doors – introduces the concept of privacy through the analogy of a door and a series of… KNOCK KNOCK jokes!
- Try telling your students one or two “knock knock jokes” a day to kick off a discussion of WHY digital privacy matters.
- Grades 6-8 – Under Peer Pressure-How does peer pressure online impact the decisions we make
- Share scenarios through a game of bingo. Who doesn’t love a game of bingo?
- Grades 9-12 – Values and Tech-What are your values and how do media and tech impact them! If there is one lesson to do, this is it!
3. Tie It into What You’re Already Teaching with the Digital Literacy and Well Being Integration Guide.
Common Sense Education Essential Resources
- Digital Literacy and Well-Being curriculum helps K–12 students build resilience, think critically about media, and use technology in healthy, intentional ways.
- Family Engagement – Resources to Support Media and Tech Use at School and Home
- Professional Development – Self-paced, Live and On Demand Sessions & Resources
- Earn your Common Sense Education badge today!
As you prepare for the new school year, we’ve got you covered with research-backed resources, ready-to-use lessons, and the support you need to tackle these essential topics from day one.
Want to learn more? Check out Common Sense Education’s website and follow us on social media!