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Relating to requiring the incorporation of instruction in digital citizenship into the public school curriculum.
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
HB 3018 would require school districts to incorporate instruction in "digital citizenship" into public school curriculum. Digital citizenship would be defined as "the standards of appropriate, responsible, and healthy online behavior, including the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, create, and act on all forms of digital communication."
We oppose HB 3018 because it would place school districts in the position of being the arbiter of appropriate standards of online behavior. This is not the proper role of public education. This is the proper role of parents. Also, there is no objective standard for responsible online behavior. The lack of such a standard could lead to creation of subjective standards which stifle free speech by discriminating against unpopular or politically incorrect expression, especially if school districts took the additional step (as they almost certainly would) of disciplining students for violating "digital citizenship" standards even in their off-campus life. School districts should stick to their core competencies and leave the teaching of social values to parents.
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