By Danielle Tobb ’17

MCPS announced October 19 that all middle schools in the county have officially started to incorporate digital citizenship education into the curriculum, which provides the guidelines for using responsible behavior when using technology. By 2018, MCPS plans to expand the program to students in all grade levels.
With the increasing use of technology at school and home, teaching students how to stay safe online has become a topic of discussion in the county. The program includes four hours of instruction per year, and is offered as part of a partnership with Common Sense Education and a grant from the Delaney Family Fund.
Through videos on topics such as cyberbullying, Internet safety, and privacy, Common Sense Education provides a new way for students to learn about the issues they may encounter online.
“We want to ensure that our students understand how to use technology in a responsible and respectful manner and are smart about how they engage online,” said MCPS Superintendent Jack Smith in a press release. “We look forward to working with Common Sense Education to equip our teachers, students, and families with the resources they need to make informed choices when using technology and social media.”