The Washington Post ran a story over the weekend about Virginia's pilot program to teach students about safe Internet practices. Beginning this September, students in all grades will be taught about Internet safety. Virginia's program is the first in the nation that is mandated by law.
While I was aware of the program when it got signed into law in 2006, I kind of lost track of its status until the Post article. With two young children in Virginia public schools this fall, I will be interested in what they are taught and how much it sinks in. My older child has an occasional computer class, but she hasn't said anything about the program to me. Nor do I recall seeing any announcements from her school. When I quizzed her about whether her teachers had taught her about safe Internet practices, she didn't seem aware of any instruction being given in relation to the program itself.
This has made me curious about how effective the program will be, since the according to the Post story, "The state initiative calls for including parents. One chapter in a state resource book covers 'What Parents, Grandparents, and Caregivers Need to Know.' " The story does say that in some jurisdictions, there has been a move to get parents involved - I just don't know how widespread it is. It hasn't reached me yet.
I'll let you all know what transpires when the Fall school session starts. I think it is a good idea - the ultimate value, however, will be in its implementation.
