Gov. Bob McDonnell announced this morning a public-private partnership that aims to teach Virginia students digital literacy and responsibility.
Northern Virginia-based Neustar will bring the online program, My Digital Life, to classrooms across Virginia at no cost to the state or school divisions.
Also taking part in the announcement was Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va.
The 3 1/2-hour interactive course for eighth- and ninth-graders will touch on such topics as cyber-bullying, privacy and digital relationships. It aligns with National Educational Technology Standards established by the International Society for Technology in Education.
McDonnell said technology has done great things to enhance education and people's lives, but there also are some challenges such as cyber bullying and cyber security.
"One of the best things we can do is give young people the no-nonsense pros and cons about Internet and cyber-literacy,"McDonnell said. "That's what My Digital Life is all about... It is something that will help enrich their lives and make all of their use of technology safe and productive."
Warner said it's important to teach students how to use the Internet responsibly.
"What you say and do on the Internet can and will come back and bite you at some point," Warner said.
(This has been a breaking news update. Read more in tomorrow's Richmond Times-Dispatch.)
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