Digital Literacy
Kids are living, learning, and exploring in an increasingly digital world. Now more than ever, their success depends on their ability to be smart digital citizens. That includes knowing how to keep their personal information private, avoid bad actors online, and use the internet effectively and responsibly. However, misguided legislation in Congress would jeopardize young people’s development by restricting access to important online tools, including the digital literacy programs and other online educational tools they need most. Instead, we should promote digital literacy curriculum in school and other educational programs that prepare young people, and their parents, with tools and best practices to be smart and safe digital citizens. Teaching kids how to be responsible online is the best way to keep them safe and prepare them to compete in a digital world.
Kids Would Be Less Prepared to Be Smart Digital Citizens
Taken together, the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), STOP CSAM Act, Eliminating Abusive and Rampant Neglect of Interactive Technologies Act (EARN IT Act), and Protecting Kids on Social Media Act would jeopardize critical access to online educational tools and cut young people off from the resources they need to become smart digital citizens.
These Bills Would Restrict Kids’ Access to Online Tools Essential for Digital Literacy Development
Instead of educating young people how to use the internet safely and responsibility, these bills would ban or severely restrict young people from using some online platforms - putting their digital literacy development years behind their peers around the world.
Critical education technology tools that parents, teachers, and students use for school could be shut down or forced to remove important functions in order to comply with new restrictive laws.
Young people could be legally prohibited or severely restricted from using common online tools and services they rely on to stay connected with the world, like news outlets, encyclopedias, and community platforms.
More than 130 organizations - including the American Civil Liberties Union, Electronic Frontier Foundation, and Fight for the Future - officially oppose some or all of the proposed bills that prevent young people from becoming smart and safe digital citizens.
Parents and Educators Know Digital Literacy is Essential for Our Kids
“Where safety tools may fail, education and parental involvement have a major role to play in picking up the slack. In this sense, states should look to update their educational curriculum instead of banning teens. Hefty civil penalties against social media companies may play well in headlines, but teens will pay the price if forced to grow up without learning to navigate the complex online world.” - Libertas Institute
“Beginning digital literacy programs in grades K-12 is essential. This introduction to digital media prepares young children and teenagers for the skills they need to engage in technology both safely and responsibly. What’s more, digital technology education empowers and educates children by providing them with the tools they need to thrive in an ever-changing digital world.” - Education Corner
“Teaching kids digital literacy skills is very important. Kids need to be able to understand the technology that they use so they can use it safely and effectively. Digital literacy is not just about knowing how to take a selfie or update facebook. Digital literacy means understanding technology and using it appropriately.” - Teach Your Kids Code
“Along with online safety, digital literacy also teaches digital responsibility, which is the ability to consume and communicate information ethically online. Increased technology dependence exposes students to challenges related to copyright and plagiarism, cyberbullying, vetting informational resources, and interacting responsibly with others. Digital literacy skills help students master their ability to understand and effectively navigate these challenges, making them more responsible digital citizens.” - Learning.com