With the shift to remote learning due to COVID-19, students and educators suddenly found themselves spending more time online than ever before. This new learning environment also placed a heightened focus on digital citizenship, which generally refers to how we use technology safely and responsibly.

But Marialice Curran, founder and executive director of the Digital Citizenship Institute and a former university professor, has a more holistic definition when it comes to the classroom. In her eyes, digital citizenship goes beyond just keeping students safe online. It involves showing them how they can use digital tools for good. She recently spoke with EdTech about what that means and how educators can empower students to do that with a community approach, even during uncertain times.