The Universal Reading Foundation (URF) consistently supports initiatives that help children and young people develop positive habits—both in reading and in their use of digital media. In January, we began a partnership with the Fundacja Instytut Cyfrowego Obywatelstwa (Digital Citizenship Institute). This collaboration allows us to draw on the Institute’s extensive expertise and experience while jointly promoting responsible and safe screen use.
As part of this partnership, we are publishing a series of posts on the social media channels and website of our Reading Rescuers programme, showcasing tools and resources developed by the Digital Citizenship Institute. We began by encouraging educators to explore the guide “Digital Hygiene in Schools and Preschools: A Practical Introduction”, which includes:
- insights into the importance of digital hygiene in schools and early education settings,
- perspectives from school communities on the internet and screen use,
- an overview of legal frameworks and examples of solutions from other countries,
- a step-by-step presentation of the ICO Method—providing practical guidance on how to implement digital hygiene across an institution.
The guide is available free of charge on the Digital Citizenship Institute’s website.
To support the community of teachers and librarians involved in the Reading Rescuers programme, the Institute has also developed a dedicated Digital Hygiene Lesson Plan for FPC, focusing on the role of reading and books in shaping healthy screen habits. The lesson, titled “Why Do We Need Books in the Digital Age?”, demonstrates how reading fosters attention, concentration, and overall wellbeing among children and young people.
The lesson plans are available free of charge (after logging in, see Lesson 20) and are tailored to three age groups: grades 0–3, 4–6, and 7–8 of primary school, as well as older students.
URF and the Digital Citizenship Institute are also co-hosting a webinar during which experts from both foundations will discuss digital hygiene and the role of reading in cultivating mindfulness and balance in a world full of constant stimuli.
We invite you to follow our channels and join the event. Together, we can effectively support children and young people in developing thoughtful technology use and discovering the power of reading.
Webinar: Digital Hygiene at School – Practical Tools, Date: Wednesday, 25 February, 6:00 p.m.
Registration: https://ico.clickmeeting.com/292498476/register https://ico.clickmeeting.com/292498476/register
