Bridal School District initiates digital literacy series focused on social emotional learning

The Belmont-Redwood Shores Elementary School District held a significant meeting on February 6, 2025, focusing on enhancing digital literacy and social-emotional learning (SEL) among students. This meeting marked the beginning of a three-part series aimed at educating parents and community members about the impact of online engagement on children's development.

The series will explore various aspects of digital literacy, with the next session scheduled for March, which will delve into how social media influences child development. The final session will solicit community feedback to help shape a district-wide smartphone use policy, in response to California Assembly Bill AB 3216, which mandates schools to establish such policies by July 2026.

During the meeting, the speaker emphasized the importance of teaching children how to navigate the digital world safely, akin to teaching them how to cross the street. Key skills highlighted included critical thinking, recognizing misinformation, and maintaining online safety. The speaker stressed the need for students to understand the importance of verifying information sources and protecting their personal data online.

The discussion also underscored the role of social-emotional learning in fostering digital literacy. By equipping students with SEL skills, the district aims to help them manage their emotions and responses in digital interactions, thereby promoting responsible online behavior. The meeting outlined five core competencies of SEL: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making, all of which are integrated into the district's curriculum from kindergarten through eighth grade.

The overall goal of this initiative is to create a safe and informed digital environment for students, ensuring they develop the necessary skills to engage positively and responsibly online. The district plans to continue these discussions and gather community input to refine their approach to digital engagement and safety.