Switching from Common Sense?
What to Know
Common Sense is archiving its current Digital Citizenship Curriculum in December 2026 and has launched a new Digital Literacy & Well-Being Curriculum. If your school has been using Common Sense, you may be evaluating whether the new version meets your needs or whether it’s time to explore other options.
Either way, this is a natural moment to step back and ask what you really need from a digital literacy program—especially given how much the landscape has changed in the past two years. AI literacy wasn’t part of most schools’ vocabulary when many first adopted our current curricula. Now it’s becoming a state mandate.
Here’s what we’d encourage you to consider as you evaluate your options.
Key Differences to Consider
Common Sense has done important work in raising awareness about digital citizenship. Where Cyber Civics differs is in the depth, structure, and delivery model:
Depth
Cyber Civics includes 130+ scaffolded lessons across grades 4–8, organized into a multi-year sequence that builds on itself. This is a comprehensive curriculum, not a collection of standalone activities that teachers pick and choose from.
AI literacy
AI literacy is built into the curriculum, not a separate add-on. Students learn how AI systems work, how to evaluate AI-generated content, and how to reason ethically about AI—all woven into the broader digital literacy framework.
Delivery model
Cyber Civics is teacher-led and discussion-based. No student devices required. This makes it an ideal fit for schools that have gone phone-free or are working to reduce screen time. When schools subscribe, every teacher gets access to the curriculum via their own private online portal
Ongoing support
Schools get access to monthly professional development webinars, newsletters announcing continuous curriculum updates, family activities, and dedicated support. Our content evolves as the landscape shifts—because in this space, standing still is falling behind.
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What the Transition
Looks Like
Switching is simpler than you might expect. Subscribe, get your login credentials, and you’re ready to start teaching. There’s no lengthy onboarding process, no special training required, and no tech setup. The lessons come with everything a teacher needs: guides, discussion prompts, activity materials, and built-in flexibility to adapt to different schedules.
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Our 98% school renewal rate tells the story better than anything else I could say here. Schools that switch to Cyber Civics tend to stay with Cyber Civics. Year after year.
A Note About Timing
If your school is making curriculum decisions for the 2026–27 school year, now is the time to evaluate your options. Common Sense’s current curriculum will be archived in December, and the transition to their new program may or may not align with what your school needs. We’d love to show you how Cyber Civics works and help you determine if it’s the right fit for you.
