On October 21, 2025, district leaders presented an implementation progress report regarding this year's new Social Media Awareness & Digital Citizenship Guidelines to the Barrington 220 Board of Education. Early results show positive impacts across staff, student, and parent groups.
Our report provides an in-depth update on the current data and information used to measure the effectiveness of the Social Media Awareness and Digital Citizenship Guidelines that were accepted by the Board of Education on May 20, 2025. The report included information from several sources and reported on August 19–October 3, 2025—the first 32 days of school. Positive early indicators of program success include higher student engagement across all grade levels, reduced classroom distractions, greater awareness among students about responsible technology use, and improved consistency in reporting of digital-device-related incidents. Eight next steps were recommended to strengthen the further implementation, consistency, and long-term impact of the guidelines.
Report Summary
The first 32 implementation days of Barrington 220’s Social Media Awareness & Digital Citizenship (SMADC) Guidelines demonstrate meaningful progress in cultivating responsible, focused, and engaged learners at all grade levels across the district. Through sustained collaboration among students, staff, and families, the district is incorporating digital citizenship into our mission to empower personal excellence in every learner.
The SMADC Guidelines were developed during the 2024–25 school year through a collaborative, cross-functional advisory committee process involving administrators, staff, students, parents, and community members. Accepted by the Board of Education in May 2025 for implementation in the 2025–26 school year, these guidelines promote healthy digital habits and minimize non-academic device use, while fostering student engagement and well-being.
The implementation phase spanning August 19–October 3, 2025, included a focus to measure the effectiveness of these guidelines. A variety of data and information conveys the success of the guideline implementation so far:
- Student Survey Results
- Staff Survey Results
- Student Behavior Incident Reporting
- Parent & Student Interviews
- Upcoming Presentation Preparations
- Communications
- iPad Use during Middle School Lunch
A set of conclusions and next steps are also included.
Student Survey Results
Over 4,300 students (Grades 3–12) participated in the fall survey assessing engagement, technology behaviors, and perceptions of the new SMADC Guidelines.
Key student survey findings included:
- Engagement Gains: More than 75% of students reported equal or greater participation and collaboration compared to last school year. Off-task device use also decreased across all levels.
- Feedback on the B Here. B Now. B Engaged. initiative: Students in Grades 3–5 valued clear rules and engaging lessons and requested consistency across classrooms. Middle school students supported the program’s goals, but requested limited personal-device use and reduced blocking of educational websites. High school students emphasized trust and autonomy, while asking for expanded access to educational resources.
- Mentorship Opportunities: Students proposed integrating peer-led digital citizenship mentorship into existing clubs and creating new social-media-related clubs.
- YouTube & Web Filtering: Students expressed concerns about limited video access, noting that educational content is often blocked. Many students interpreted the extension of district filtering outside of school as new website restrictions.
- App Request Process: Roughly 90% of students had never used the app request process and asked for easier access to request new apps and services.
Staff Survey Results
Over 500 PK–12 staff members participated in the SMADC implementation survey.
Key staff survey findings included:
- Positive Classroom Impact: 95% of staff reported student participation, interaction, and collaboration were the same or better than last year. Off-task use of school and personal devices dropped as well.
- Reduced Classroom Disruption: Teachers reported fewer redirections and less time spent managing devices—especially smartphones and smartwatches.
- YouTube & Edpuzzle: 71% of staff agreed they can effectively use YouTube and Edpuzzle, though many cited barriers. Over half requested professional learning on video integration.
- Web Filtering: 87% of staff said students can complete assignments effectively. Some middle and high school teachers cited occasional blocking of instructional websites or videos.
- Mentorship: Staff recommended embedding digital citizenship mentorship in student leadership groups such as Student Council and media-oriented clubs to strengthen student voice.
Student Behavior Incident Reporting
Behavior data from Infinite Campus and Intellispark revealed that the number of incidents reported has increased over the past three school years. This increase is likely a result of the focus on our SMADC guidelines and not an actual increase in student behaviors related to inappropriate technology use.
Parent & Student Interviews
Comments from video interviews with parents and students reinforced survey findings. Parents expressed appreciation for the district’s leadership in addressing social media challenges and the consistent messaging around healthy device use. Students highlighted feeling less distracted in class and more aware of digital expectations, though many requested more access. Both groups supported continued communication, flexibility, and education around responsible technology use.
Upcoming Presentation Preparations
The SMADC Leadership Team is preparing to share a variety of topics through student assemblies and family engagement nights during the school year. Upcoming events will include community discussions on digital citizenship, well-being in a connected world, and responsible online behavior, featuring experts and local law-enforcement partners.
Communications
District communications since August 2025 have emphasized clarity and transparency in implementing the SMADC Guidelines, including the B here. B now. B engaged. initiative. Updated handbook language, district newsletters, and a new webpage now outline the new expectations for student device use, filtering practices, and strategies to help families manage digital devices at home.
iPad Use During Middle School Lunch
Middle school lunch period observations confirmed that a relatively small percentage of students (20%) are using iPads during lunch and that the vast majority of lunchtime iPad users (97%) are socializing while using the iPad. Middle School principals will continue to monitor iPad use during lunch periods and will implement supports for families or individual students if necessary.
Overall Guidelines Implementation Conclusions
Initial implementation of the Social Media Awareness and
Digital Citizenship Guidelines has resulted in measurable improvements in student focus, engagement, and responsible technology behaviors across grade levels. Staff members also report smoother classroom management as a result of the guidelines. Both students and parents show growing awareness of digital citizenship concepts and increased engagement in classroom activities.
Areas for continued improvement include:
- Clearer and more consistent enforcement of expectations across classrooms and schools.
- Expanded access to educational video platforms under managed filtering conditions.
- Enhanced training for staff on classroom device-management tools and instructional video integration.
- Continued communication with families to ensure understanding and support of device guidelines at home.
Next Steps
Our recommended next steps for the Social Media Awareness and
Digital Citizenship Guidelines include:
- Strengthen Consistency
- Balance Access & Student Engagement
- Expand Student Leadership & Mentorship
- Enhance Staff Professional Development & Resources
- Continue to Strengthen Home/School Partnerships
- Improve the App Request Process
- Continue Data Monitoring & Reporting
- Cultivate Social-Emotional Learning & Wellness
These early results indicate that Barrington 220’s Social Media Awareness and
Digital Citizenship Guidelines are achieving the intended impact and provide important context for improving the initiative moving forward. The recommended next steps emphasize consistency, balance, leadership, and communication to ensure that every school models responsible technology use, supports student well-being, and builds upon our district’s shared culture of digital citizenship.
More Information
Further information is available about the implementation of Barrington 220's Social Media Awareness &
Digital Citizenship Guidelines:
