For Schools
White Ribbon Week teaches important principles of online safety through short, but thoughtful conversations. Each day students are taught a new and important principle which helps guide them in their use of technology--we call these “Power Boosts.”
Each day, students memorize the “Power Boost” which serves as their password to fun lunchtime activities. They explore consequences of online choices in daily classroom discussions and participate in take home challenges with their families.
Each of the four week-long programs are simple to organize using the provided step-by-step Facilitator Guide.
Are you new to White Ribbon Week?
No worries, it is easier than you think!
4 Steps for Getting Started with White Ribbon Week
Step 2
Establish date & budget
Choose any week that fits well in the school calendar. Establish the budget for WRW. Anywhere from $0.70 to $1.20 per student provides ample funds for your week.
Step 3
Enlist a few helpers
As part of your school registration or “Back to School” night, encourage parents to sign up. Volunteers don’t need to be computer experts. Every parent is qualified.
Step 4
Check the Checklist
Each of the four White Ribbon Week themes includes a detailed checklist. Delegate responsibilities to your committee and you’re on your way!
What Program Should I Start With?
Each program is self-contained and can be presented in any order. However, we recommend starting with “I’ve Got the Power!” because it helps students understand they are in charge of what they do with technology. It is a great foundation for all the other programs.
I’ve Got The Power
I’ve Got the Power helps kids take charge of what they view and play online. Their confidence grows in making decisions in all areas of their lives.
Each morning, students memorize a “Power Boost” message. It becomes the “password” to participate in fun activities. Students design a class super-hero and discuss their responsibility for their own media choices.
Let's Get Real
Let’s Get Real reminds kids that everyone needs real friendships, face-to-face, conversations, and real activities. It helps kids explore healthy alternatives to screens when they are feeling down.
This week also helps kids be aware of how much time they’re spending on technology. As kids complete the daily “Get Real” challenge, they are entered in a drawing.
Let's Get Real for Teens!
This brand new program led by teens, for teens, helps them dig deep into the application in their own lives. Easy to implement in middle and high schools.
Students take the “cyber-quiz” to identify their own online behaviors. They practice giving priority to real life relationships with the “phone face down” activity. Teens explore new coping strategies for stressful times and identify how social media effects them personally.
Media Detective
Be a Media Detective helps kids to T.H.I.N.K when presented with a media message. Is it TRUE? HOW did it get my attention? Is it a good choice for me?
This incredibly valuable week gives kids real skills for evaluating media whether in print, TV or online. Kids love earning their “mustache” as they become real media detectives!
Brain Power
Brain Power is a fun and fascinating exploration of the brain science involving media. Does media actually change my brain? How much screen time is too much?
Kids and their families choose the sleep challenge, the outdoor challenge or the exercise challenge to see first-hand how it affects their body, emotions and mental health. Every day, kids are invited to the “Brain Center” to try new brain-boosting snacks and activities.
POWER UP
Regardless of which program you choose for your school, Power UP supports your in-school efforts with at-home family conversations. Select one of the six issues such as “Kindness Online” or “Being Safe Online.”
This family conversation workbook makes it easy and fun for families to talk about media and to make a family plan together in the colorful graphic provided.
Variations are included to engage little ones as well as teens.
My Power Plan is a personal media plan for each child. Children who participate in creating family rules are much more likely to internalize them and live by them. Making decisions in advance helps a child act with confidence when a moment of pressure or danger arises.
This color-and-create Power Plan helps each child identify their own trusted adults while discussing family device-free zones and media rules. Color-coded instructions to parents on the reverse help them ask just the right questions.
Available in English and Spanish.
My Power Plan
