Safer Online Standards (S.O.S.) Provide Educators with an Evidence-Based Framework for Digital Safety Education

The Safer Online Standards (S.O.S.) provide educators, schools, and youth advocacy organizations with a practical, evidence-based framework for teaching digital safety and supporting youth mental well-being online. Built on 24 expert-developed standards across five key areas, S.O.S. complements existing digital literacy and wellness curricula while giving educators and families a shared language for discussing online safety.

Unlike fear-based approaches, S.O.S. offers students, parents, and educators transparent ratings that promote informed decision-making and healthy digital habits. These standards evaluate how technology platforms impact youth mental health and respond to suicide-related content, providing schools with credible tools to integrate into health classes, digital citizenship programs, and school policies without politics or panic.

As part of our effort to support educators and youth-serving organizations nationwide, we have developed messaging resources and graphics highlighting how S.O.S. can enhance your digital safety programming. We encourage schools, youth advocacy groups, and educational organizations to share these resources with your communities, colleagues, and families.