Online Courtesy & Effective Conversation

With many social and political topics being discussed online, it's important for students to learn how to express thoughts respectfully, even when they disagree. We believe that by supporting these skills, we can empower our students to be positive forces in their online communities.

"Have you ever seen an online argument get out of hand? What do you think made it turn negative, and what could someone have done differently to keep the conversation respectful?"

"Imagine a friend posts something you strongly disagree with. How would you respond in a way that shows you respect them, even if you don't agree with their opinion?"

"Someone leaves a really mean comment on your post. What are your options? How would you decide whether to respond, ignore it, or report it?"

• Express their opinions clearly and respectfully.
• Participate in healthy debates without resorting to insults or negativity.
• Understand different perspectives and find common ground.

Pause & Reflect: Practice asking questions like these before posting a comment or post:

• Is this comment respectful? Does it attack the person or the idea?
• What's my goal with this comment? Am I trying to understand, or am I just trying to win an argument?
• How would I feel if someone said this to me in person? If it wouldn't feel right face-to-face, it's not right online

• Learn more about digital citizenship with this link.