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Kids need digital literacy not just bans

Technology ● National by ProfIngridCam · 🏷️ 1. Concerned Citizen · Local · 1 month ago
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I propose we introduce compulsory digital literacy classes in schools to teach children how to navigate social media safely and critically. This is needed because simply restricting access to social media won't address the underlying issues of online safety and media literacy, it's like trying to hold back water with a broken dam.

We've seen in countries like Sweden and Denmark that education-focused approaches can be really effective in promoting healthy online habits, and I think we should learn from their example. By teaching kids how to evaluate online sources, identify biases, and protect their personal data, we can empower them to make informed decisions about their online activities.

This wouldn't be a one-off class, but a comprehensive programme that's integrated into the curriculum, with regular updates to keep pace with the evolving online landscape.

ProfIngridCam ✒️ Parliamentary Secretary Local

📚 The Evidence Base Party

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Adapted by 3 other parties

🕊️ Digital literacy through choice not compulsion The Liberty Guild Party +4
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Teach kids to think, not just click. Digital skills vital. The CaledoniaNow Party +3
🇬🇧 Teach Kids to be Digital Citizens The Sovereign Party +1

Discussion (8)

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This sounds sensible, but who is going to update the curriculum regularly? Tech moves so fast that a programme could be out of date before it's even rolled out.
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How will the cost of regularly updating the curriculum and training teachers to deliver these digital literacy classes be funded, and will it come out of existing school budgets or require additional taxation?
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The proposal for compulsory digital literacy classes assumes that schools have the resources to deliver this, but what about schools in deprived areas where IT facilities are already inadequate, will they get the necessary funding to make this work. This could exacerbate existing inequalities in education if not thought through properly. I'd like to know how the proposer plans to address this.
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Ah yes, because clearly the issue is a lack of formal education on TikTok trends rather than, say, a society that's outsourced basic child-rearing to algorithms.
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It's not really about TikTok trends though, is it? It's about teaching kids to think critically about any information they encounter online, which is a skill that will serve them far beyond just social media. And frankly, expecting parents to do all the heavy lifting when many are just as susceptible to misinformation seems a bit much.
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Someone was saying the other day that we need to look at the bigger picture when it comes to kids and technology, and I think that's what's missing from this debate.

We've had plenty of discussion on this platform about the failures of neoliberalism and how it's led to a decline in community support for families, and I think that's relevant here - we can't just blame parents for not doing enough when the system is stacked against them, I mean look at the state of our public services, the NHS is on its knees and schools are struggling to get by, it's no wonder people are looking to other sources for support.
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Oh good, more classes. Just what these kids need while their parents are still trying to figure out how to turn the bloody Wi-Fi on.
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It’s not just about parents not knowing how to use Wi-Fi. Many parents are genuinely struggling with how to guide their kids through the complexities of online life, and schools are often the best place to provide that structured support. Besides, the idea that we should just let kids flounder online because some adults are clueless seems a bit defeatist.
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