He drew a very clear analogy that resonated with me. Way back in the late 19th century, visionary teachers and school administrators had to convince people of the need to make space and develop curriculum for shop class and home economics. Why? These two disciplines were deemed essential skills for tomorrow’s graduates.

Today, the same could be said for digital media citizenship.

This week, I participated in a panel discussion about the impact of social media on the high school experience. From my perspective as a parent, I do advocate the notion that parents should get in the game (click the link to see my presentation). One can assume that kids that grow up on the web get it. I checked my son’s Facebook settings and noting he was sharing everything with everyone, despite our family guidelines. He thought he had the settings nailed – not so. He has also needed to learn the lesson that you are what you post on the Internet.

Recent events have also highlighted just how tragic cyber-bullying has become. Over the past few weeks, I have noted people calling for more education or perhaps digital media citizenship courses for our tweens, teens and up and coming graduates. At this local meeting, parents were asking, “what is the high school doing to teach our kids”? Our local high school touches on social media across a handful of courses. I would imagine school board officials are taking a broader look at this now or soon. Perhaps we will see high school credit courses offering digital media citizenship? It would be a great way to mentor more up and coming leaders.

At the post-secondary level, we are seeing the career success agenda wrap social media/digital media citizenship into select classes and programs. From our viewpoint, it is something that needs to be weaved into entire programs from the day a student arrives. Check out David Johnson’s perspective on professionalism. As the Dean of the School of Business at Centennial College, it starts on day 1.