The Digital Filter Between Their Ears: Sue Thotz on Building a Culture of Digital Citizenship
“The most important filter is the one between their ears.”
— Sue Thotz, Common Sense Media
We often think of online safety in terms of technology: firewalls, content filters, monitoring tools. But what if the most effective form of digital protection isn’t software at all — but the habits, values, and mindset of the kids themselves?
That’s the central insight from our first episode of Vetted by Mark Vetter, featuring Sue Thotz, Director of Outreach for Common Sense Media. With over a decade of experience training educators, supporting districts, and empowering families, Sue doesn’t just advocate for digital safety — she helps build the cultural foundation to make it stick.
It Starts With the Kids
This podcast kicks off with a stark reminder of why digital safety matters. Host Mark Vetter shares the story of a student whose online searches for self-harm were flagged just hours after a monitoring system was deployed. That one alert helped save a life. But tech alone isn’t enough.
“We all do what we do because of the kids,” Mark says. “And if we’re not building that awareness from the ground up, we’re missing the most important layer of protection.”
Sue agrees. As she puts it: “Students are curious, relentless, and incredibly clever. You can build the best security wall in the world — but they’ll still find a way around it if they don’t understand why it’s there.”
That’s why Common Sense Media’s digital citizenship curriculum isn’t just about keeping kids out of trouble — it’s about helping them think critically, act responsibly, and care about their digital footprint.
When Good Intentions Cross the Line
One of the most pressing concerns Sue raises is the unintentional misuse of AI tools and student data — often by well-meaning educators.
“They’re not trying to be malicious,” she says. “They’re trying to help. But in their eagerness, they might overshare sensitive student information — especially when it comes to special education or underserved populations.”
In other words, digital safety isn’t just a tech problem — it’s a human problem. And it requires all stakeholders to be aligned, informed, and cautious.
Cell Phone Culture and the Push for Balance
One major hot-button issue Sue encounters nationwide? Cell phones in schools. Fueled by rising concerns about anxiety, distraction, and social media addiction (and books like The Anxious Generation), more schools are implementing bans — but many struggle with how to do it effectively.
“It’s not about punishing students,” Sue emphasizes. “It’s about helping them feel calm, focused, and safe in the classroom.”
From zippered pouches to digital detox zones, schools are experimenting with different models — but the heart of the effort is the same: reclaiming the classroom as a place for connection and learning, not constant stimulation.
The Secret Sauce: Culture Over Control
When asked what advice she’d give to tech directors, Sue’s answer wasn’t about infrastructure or software — it was about communication.
“Tech teams need to work in partnership with families, educators, and students. Explain why the guardrails exist. Build trust. Show them it’s not about control — it’s about care.”
She draws an apt parallel to parenting: safety, health, and happiness — in that order. That’s the mindset she encourages for district leaders shaping digital policy.
Looking Ahead: Practical Tools, Real Conversations
Coming this school year, Common Sense Media is rolling out a newly restructured K–8 curriculum of short, accessible lessons designed for real classroom use — with 15–20 minute modules mapped to the rhythm of the school year.
The goal? Make it easy for educators to engage students in meaningful, age-appropriate digital conversations — not just about what not to do online, but about how to lead, connect, and protect each other in a connected world.
Final Word: Digital Safety Starts With Relationships
As Sue reminds us, “My job is about culture, teaching, and relationships.” And that’s really the heart of this episode.
Whether you’re a parent, teacher, tech leader, or student — we all play a role in shaping the digital norms that guide today’s classrooms.
So the next time we think about filters, maybe the best place to start isn’t on the device — but between the ears.
🎧 Listen to the full episode of Vetted by Mark Vetter with Sue Thotz
Find it on Spotify.