In our technology-driven world, it is more important than ever to teach kids how to be responsible digital citizens. It is crucial for kids to learn the fundamentals of internet safety as soon as they are using computers. Not only that, it is paramount for K-12 students to have an awareness of the effects of technology, and learn to create balance in their lives from an early age.
Teaching digital citizenship with these fantastic picture books will make your lessons top-notch! Use these picture books to inspire exciting digital citizenship lessons that you can use throughout the elementary grades.
1. On a Magical Do-Nothing Day
This whimsical picture book is the perfect way to begin your class’s digital citizenship conversations. Winner of the New York Times Best Illustrated Book of the Year, it tells the tale of a young child who wants to do nothing else but play a video game and a young mother who is glued to her own screen.
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2. The Technology Tail: A Digital Footprint Story (Communicate with Confidence)
This book by Julia Cook covers important topics in digital citizenship education, including different types of media, the long-lasting nature of internet content, and the need for kindness and responsibility in digital spaces.
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3. But I Read It on the Internet! (Mrs. Skorupski Story)
This book by Tony Buzzeo is an excellent choice for teaching upper elementary and middle school students about how to do quality research on the internet. There is so much misinformation these days, and our students need to learn to think critically about their internet sources. Mrs. Skorupski will show them how.
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4. When Charlie McButton Lost Power
Charlie McButton is the neighborhood’s most infamous computer game addict. When he loses power, he is forced to get off of the screen and has to relearn how to function without it. This book is a great way to talk to kids about the perils of too much screen time.
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5. Webster’s Friend
Hannah Whaley’s series about Webster the spider is a well-rounded resource for teaching kids about internet safety. Webster’s Friend takes on the topic of how to handle meeting strangers and making online friends – a must for keeping kids safe on the web!
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6. Once Upon a Time Online
This sweet tale by David Bedford and Rosie Reeve takes us on a fairytale journey through the world of internet safety. In Once Upon a Time Online, our favorite storybook characters receive a laptop and have a lot of lessons to learn!
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7. Unplugged by Steve Antony
In Unplugged, Blip’s bleak world is brightened when she is forced to go on a device detox, unplug from her computer, and go outside to play. Outside, she finds a colorful world full of friends and fun and is reminded there is more to this life than staring at a screen all day!
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8. #Goldilocks: A Hashtag Cautionary Tale by Jeanne Willis and Tony Ross
This hilarious book also teaches key lessons about our behavior online. In this story, Goldilocks gets into her usual trouble and posts about it online, breaking chairs for #fun and more. #Goldilocks is just one in this series of awesome books by Jeanne Willis and Tony Ross.
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9. Nerdy Birdy TWEETS
Nerdy Birdy TWEETS is an excellent resource on digital citizenship from Aaron Reynolds and Matt Davies’ beloved character Nerdy Birdy. When Nerdy Birdy gets sucked into an online social scene, his friend Vulture notices some behavior he doesn’t like very much.
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10. Goodnight iPad: A Parody for the Next Generation
This parody of Goodnight Moon will entertain both kids and adults and remind us all of the need for space from our devices. Our access to devices is higher than ever, and as teachers and parents, we must model the technology boundaries we want our kids to learn. Goodnight iPad is a fitting bedtime story for the 21st century.
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11. Blackout by John Rocco
Blackout is a gorgeously illustrated story about what happens when the whole family is cut off from their devices one summer night. The whole neighborhood comes out to enjoy the evening, and they realize that the most important parts of their lives have nothing to do with technology.
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12. Bad Kitty Does Not Like Video Games
One of the elementary set’s favorite characters, Bad Kitty takes on the controversial subject of video games in this comic tale.
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13. The Berenstain Bears Computer Trouble
When the Berenstain family starts using their computers all day every day, Papa Bear has some work to do. This book includes important internet safety rules that can serve as a starting point for classroom technology expectations.
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14. What Does it Mean to Be Safe?
The question “What does it mean to be safe?” is an essential one to ask in this day and age. This book will raise thought-provoking digital ethics questions that are sure to engage your elementary class.
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15. Hello! Hello!
Matthew Cordell’s loveable character Lydia just wants to have outdoor experiences, not online experiences. She has tried talking to her family, but they are too busy on their devices to pay much attention. In this beautiful picture book, we join Lydia as she rejects the virtual world for more meaningful and satisfying adventures.
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16. Chicken Clicking
Award-winning authors Jeanne Willis and Tony Ross bring us Chicken Clicking, about a chicken who clicks a bit too much and develops an internet shopping problem! This is a fun text to spark discussions about appropriate internet behavior. Have students list all of the mistakes that Chicken makes as she surfs the net!
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17. The Fabulous Friend Machine
This fabulous book by Nick Bland brings up the increasingly relevant topic of social media relationships and how they can impact our relationships with our real-life friends. Popcorn, a very friendly chicken, learns this lesson when she neglects her animal friends for her newfound smartphone.
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18. Noah’s New Phone
Eleven-year-old Noah just received a smartphone for his birthday and with it comes some unexpected online experiences. Elementary students will find the character of Noah relatable and will learn along with him as he navigates the world of social media.
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19. Arthur’s Computer Disaster
Arthur is one of the most-loved characters in modern children’s literature, which makes him the perfect character to teach kids about accountability around gaming.
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20. But It’s Just a Game
Jasper is always busy gaming and is missing out on life! This excellent read from Julia Cook deals with the very real issue of video game addiction and how it impacts children’s lives.
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21. If You Give a Mouse an iPhone
This cautionary tale, based on the ever-popular If You Give a Mouse a Cookie series, uses the same format to illustrate what could happen if we use our phones too often.
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