SACRAMENTO — Legislation by State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) to ensure students in California’s public schools learn how to read media sources critically, and act ethically, responsibly, and safely online is one step closer to the Governor’s desk. SB 947 passed out of the Assembly Education Committee today on a 5 to 1 vote. The bill now heads to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
Senate Bill 947 establishes a process for students, parents, teachers, school administrators, and educators to create strategies for ensuring that digital citizenship, internet safety, and media literacy become part of the state’s basic educational goals and learning requirements.
While technology holds great promise for enhancing how children learn, given the anonymity that allows people to act irresponsibly without consequence, young people need support and training on how to make sound judgments when navigating their digital world, particularly when it comes to cyberbullying, sexting, privacy, digital footprints, and fake news.
“Misinformation spreads online fast, far and wide,” said Senator Jackson. “As technology becomes a growing part for our daily lives, we need to teach students how to behave responsibly and ethically online. SB 947 will allow teachers, parents and students to work together to create best practices for teaching the next generation how to stay safe and informed in the digital age.”
This bill establishes a state-based advisory committee comprised of educators, administrators, researchers, and parents who will work under the oversight of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to develop best practices, resources, and models for instruction. Among other things, this advisory group will help develop strategies for school districts to implement this instructional tool, including professional development and training for educators and administrators.
SB 947 is supported by Common Sense Kids Action. “With an educator community of more than 300,000 teachers, Common Sense supports kids and families as they navigate the digital age. We are in full support of Senator Jackson’s SB 947, which will ultimately empower students to make ethical choices when it comes to technology use. By identifying best practices for the teaching of digital citizenship in K-12 schools, SB 947 is an important first step in establishing a statewide curriculum for kids in today’s connected world,” said Elizabeth Galicia, Vice President of Common Sense Kids Action.
Jackson represents the 19th Senate District, which includes all of Santa Barbara County and western Ventura County.