As technology advances it has affected the American classroom in many different ways. Educators have been able to use computer programming as a resource to further and improve quality of education for K-12 and higher education. From online course to student response systems, students and faculty have better accessibility and increased ways to mix interactive experience with educational tools through online resources. However, the influx of cyber bullying and social networking has created concerns for teaching children proper safety, security, and ethics, but most educators lack the resources to address these issues.

Although computer programming and online resources have been integrated into the daily schedule of most K-12 programs, training for educators has not matched the software availability. According to USA Today, more than one third of teachers receive no training in cyber security issues, including passwords, content, file sharing, peer-to-peer networks, mobile devices, identity theft, and cyber bullying, although 81 percent of school administrator felt they were addressing online safety for children - compared to 51 percent of teachers, according to a survey by National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA), a non-profit group that works with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

According to other portions of the NCSA survey, over half of educators believe online safety should be integrated into the school curriculum, but believed the responsibility is primarily on the parents. However, since online activity has taken a larger role in everyday school activities, some educators are questioning the validity of this reasoning.

A federal law from 2008 requires discounts on telecommunication access and Internet for all schools through a federal program that also offers online education safety programs, but it doesn't specify or define these programs or their installation. Comprehensive training is not required for educators in any state, although Virginia, Illinois, Texas, California, New York, and Georgia have laws to address online safety in schools. However, nearly all states have anti-bullying laws on the record. Some administrators claim budget cuts and overloaded curriculums are to plan for the lack of online safety education.

The NCSA believes an additional comprehensive curriculum is possible, if educators are willing to support it.

"Every school district should have a comprehensive cybersecurity curriculum in place. Schools should be confident that they are graduating students who can use technology safely, securely and productively, and this training should begin at an early age, from the point when a child first enters school," said Micahel Kaiser, executive director for the NCSA. "Teachers, administrators and other school personnel must be supported as we evolve to teach the basics of a cybersecurity education to every child. Teachers need training, and schools need high-quality curricula that address the needs of students who are growing up in digital times."

As with a drivers license or diploma, the final product, online safety knowledge, ensures students enter an unfiltered world with a better understanding for the implications of online technology. More media awareness could also help address issues within the school, such as cyber bullying, instead of just outside predators. Ultimately, school districts need to increase a dialogue between educators and students as they navigate an increasingly important frontier for education.