Digital Citizenship (Middle School) Teacher Resource Pack

Digital Citizenship – Middle School Resource Pack (Ages 11–14)

Help students build healthy, confident digital habits during the years they need it most.

About This Resource

Middle schoolers are navigating a rapidly expanding digital world — group chats, gaming, social platforms, information overload, and the early stages of digital identity. This Digital Citizenship Resource Pack equips students ages 11–14 with the essential skills they need to make thoughtful, safe, and responsible choices online.

Through engaging readings, hands-on activities, case studies, and reflection exercises, students gain tools to understand digital identity, communicate clearly, stay in control of their attention, evaluate online information, and build balanced digital habits.
Perfect for advisory, SEL blocks, technology classes, counseling groups, and enrichment programs.

What’s Inside

This 90+ page printable and digital resource pack includes:

Teacher & Parent Guides

A clear overview of learning objectives, developmental rationale, and flexible teaching tips.

Pre-Assessment & Post-Assessment

Simple tools to measure growth in digital identity, communication skills, attention, information literacy, and online decision-making.

Five Ready-to-Teach Lessons

Each lesson includes a teacher guide, age-appropriate readings, reflection questions, and 4–5 student activities.

Lesson Overview

Lesson 1: Digital Identity & Footprints

Students learn what a digital footprint is, how online actions shape identity, and how to make choices that align with who they want to be.
Activities include:

• Sorting identity vs. footprint actions

• Mapping the “domino effect” of impressions

• Realistic case studies

• Password safety practice

Lesson 2: Communication in Digital Spaces

Students explore tone, misunderstandings, impulsive reactions, and how the Online Disinhibition Effect influences digital communication.
Activities include:

• Tone comparison

• Sorting miscommunication scenarios

• Debates on ambiguous messages

• Upstander communication strategies

Lesson 3: Tech, Attention, and the Brain

Students learn how notifications, multitasking, and dopamine impact attention and productivity — and how to stay in control.
Activities include:

• Identifying persuasive design features

• “Endless scroll” analysis

• Notification tracking experiment

• Personalized digital planning

Lesson 4: Information Literacy

Students practice evaluating online information, spotting red flags, understanding algorithms, and checking credibility.
Activities include:

• Red-flag hunts

• Image verification practice

• Viral misinformation case study

• Algorithm predictions

• Ethical media creation

Lesson 5: Navigating Digital Life

Students put all their learning into action through healthy boundaries, balanced habits, and responsible digital choices.
Activities include:

• “Before You Post” scenarios

• Digital boundaries builder

• Content impact sorting

• Future You digital life planner

Bonus Student Resources

Included at the end of the pack:

• Password Safety Checklist

• Cybersecurity Basics

• Dictionary of Emotions

• Goal-setting worksheets

Skills Students Will Build

By the end of this unit, students will be able to:

• Understand digital identity and how their choices shape it

• Communicate clearly, kindly, and responsibly online

• Identify how technology affects attention, focus, and mood

• Evaluate online information and spot misleading content

• Set healthy digital boundaries

• Build balanced habits that support long-term wellbeing

Perfect For

• Middle School Classrooms

• SEL Programs

• Advisory / Homeroom

• Technology or Digital Citizenship Courses

• Counseling Groups

• After-School & Enrichment Programs

Product Details

• Format: Digital PDF (printable + projectable)

• Grade Level: Middle School (ages 11–14)

• Length: 90+ pages

• Publisher: Seltrove Education