Online Kindness & Digital Citizenship

Every message, comment, and photo you send online leaves a trail. A good digital citizen treats people on screens the same way they treat people in person — with kindness, honesty, and respect.

Your Digital Footprint

A digital footprint is the trail of everything you post, send, or share online. Even messages that "disappear" can be screenshotted. Once something is captured, it can travel far beyond the people you sent it to.

• Screenshots last forever — assume anything you send could be saved.
• Future coaches, mentors, and employers may see what you post.
• You build your reputation one comment, one post, one DM at a time.

The THINK Test

Before you post or send a message, run it through five quick checks. If your words fail any one of them, do not hit send.

1. T — Is it True?
2. H — Is it Helpful?
3. I — Is it Inspiring (or at least kind)?
4. N — Is it Necessary?
5. K — Is it Kind?

Reporting Cruelty and Pressure

If you see online cruelty, a fake rumor, or someone pressuring a friend, you do not have to handle it alone. Telling a trusted adult is not snitching — it is protecting people.

• Save the evidence (screenshot the message or post).
• Tell a trusted adult: parent, grandparent, coach.
• Use the report or block button on the platform.
• Check on the person who was hurt — a private kind message helps.

Public, Private, and Consent

• Private: full name + address, password, phone number, usual hangouts, money info.
• OK to share carefully: first name, hobbies, art or projects you are proud of.
• Consent first: ask before posting a photo or chat that includes someone else.