Digital Literacy Programs
That Actually Work
for NYC Schools
Many schools are dealing with student conflict that starts online and shows up in the classroom.
This curriculum helps students understand how their digital behavior leads to real-world consequences — and how to make better decisions online and off.
A 12-week, phase-based program that moves students from digital awareness to digital opportunity — covering algorithm literacy, AI, misinformation, cyberbullying, and career readiness. Differentiated for every grade band.
One Curriculum. Every Grade Level.
This K–12 Digital Literacy Curriculum is built around four phases that move students from understanding how technology works to using it as a tool for opportunity. Choose the program length that fits your school — 4, 8, or 12 weeks. Every session is differentiated for Elementary, Middle, and High School.
Three Program Lengths
Select a program below to see the sessions included. Every program can also be extended with optional add-on workshops.
Students are dealing with online conflict, manipulation, and privacy risks right now. This program gives them the foundational awareness to understand what’s happening — and why. A strong standalone program with a clear path to expand.
Students learn how the digital world works and how to think critically about what they see — covering algorithm awareness, AI literacy, misinformation, and media bias. The most popular choice for schools that want real depth without a full semester commitment.
The complete curriculum — from digital awareness to digital opportunity. Students finish with a real project, a Digital Citizen certificate, and the tools to navigate and shape their digital world. The right choice for schools that want lasting, measurable change.
Started with a 4-week program and want to expand? Contact us to upgrade at any time. All programs can be extended with optional add-on workshops.
Full 12-Week Curriculum Structure
Full Course Curriculum
Click any session to expand. Every session is also available as a standalone booking.
This session helps students understand that apps are designed to influence their behavior — and that recognizing that design is the first step to resisting it.
- What is the internet?
- What happens when you post?
- What is an algorithm?
- How platforms decide what you see
- Autoplay & recommendations
- Engagement design
- Platform incentives
- Algorithm manipulation
- The attention economy
This session helps students understand that everything they do online leaves a permanent trail — and that their digital behavior today is already shaping their opportunities tomorrow.
- “Would you post this?” game
- Permanent vs. temporary posts
- Screenshot culture
- Reputation consequences
- Social media audits
- College admissions & employer searches
This session helps students build practical habits for protecting themselves online, at whatever level is appropriate for their grade.
- Stranger danger online
- Personal information safety
- Password security
- Account protection
- Data privacy
- Identity theft
This session helps students identify cyberbullying in real situations and respond with confidence instead of silence — as an upstander, not a bystander.
- Kindness online
- Being an upstander
- Group chat conflict
- Online peer pressure
- Cancel culture
- Social media conflict resolution
This session helps students recognize when content is designed to persuade, not inform — and start asking better questions about what they’re seeing.
- Ads vs. real content
- Influencers and marketing
- Media bias
- Manipulation tactics
This session gives students a practical toolkit for verifying content before they engage with it or pass it along — skills they can use immediately.
- True vs. false online stories
- Identifying misinformation
- Deepfakes
- Disinformation campaigns
This session helps students see AI as a resource they can use responsibly — not a shortcut that replaces thinking.
- What is AI?
- AI tools and limitations
- Ethical AI use
- AI in school and work
This session helps students understand how algorithms shape what they believe, who they follow, and how they see the world — taught by someone who spent 14 years building these systems for major brands.
- Why YouTube keeps recommending videos
- Why TikTok shows certain content
- Algorithmic bias
- Echo chambers
This session helps students build real self-awareness about their relationship with technology and leave with practical strategies that are actually theirs.
- Screen time awareness
- Social media balance
- Digital wellbeing
- Creator burnout
This session helps students understand that healthy communities require shared standards — and that they have the power to shape those standards.
- Rules in online games
- Group chat norms
- Online communities and influence
This session closes the loop on digital footprints from Week 2 — shifting from understanding consequences to actively building opportunity.
- Being a good digital citizen
- Building a positive online identity
- LinkedIn basics
- Digital portfolios
This final session gives students a chance to demonstrate what they’ve learned through a project presentation — and leaves them with something tangible to take forward.
- Digital citizenship pledge
- PSA video about digital safety
- Digital portfolio
- Awareness campaign
Optional Add-On Workshops
Offer these as bonus weeks, standalone sessions, or rotating modules to extend and customize the program for your school’s specific needs.
Students see people building careers online every day — but most don’t know how that actually works or whether it’s something they could do.
This workshop helps students understand the real mechanics of digital careers — from content creation to entrepreneurship — and see themselves as potential participants, not just consumers.
Students explore blogging, podcasting, social media strategy, and digital entrepreneurship through real examples and hands-on activities.
Students have a lot to say — but rarely get a structured space to say it and see it through to something real.
This workshop gives students the experience of planning, recording, editing, and publishing a full podcast episode from start to finish.
Students leave with an actual output — not just a lesson, but something they made — building communication skills, technical confidence, and creative follow-through.
Students post constantly — but most have never thought strategically about what they’re putting out or why.
This workshop shifts students from passive posting to intentional content creation — helping them understand how platforms work and how to use them with purpose.
Students design a real social campaign — learning platform differences, engagement strategy, and algorithm awareness in a hands-on format.
Students Google everything — but most can’t tell a credible source from a bad one, and plagiarism is a growing problem in every classroom.
This workshop gives students practical skills for finding reliable information, conducting academic searches, and citing sources correctly — skills that transfer directly to classroom performance.
Students practice evaluating sources, navigating academic search tools, and avoiding plagiarism in real research scenarios.
Students applying to college or internships often have nothing to show for the work they’ve done.
This workshop helps high school students build a professional online presence — a portfolio and personal website concept that demonstrates their skills and projects to real audiences.
Students leave with a concrete starting point — a portfolio framework and the language to present themselves confidently in digital and professional spaces.
Teachers are dealing with digital-rooted behavior issues every day — group chat drama, screen time conflicts, AI misuse — without training on how to respond.
This professional development session gives educators the foundation to reinforce digital literacy lessons in daily interactions and handle digital behavior issues with confidence.
Staff explore real scenarios around cyberbullying response, AI tools for teachers, curriculum integration, and school digital policy — in a format designed for busy educators.
The PILLARS Framework
This curriculum is built on BAM Digital Media’s proprietary PILLARS framework — a systematic approach to digital literacy that goes far beyond basic safety tips.
As someone born and raised in the New York City public school system, I deeply understand the challenges and opportunities our students face every day. My journey from NYC classrooms to leading digital education programs shapes everything I do. I know firsthand the power of representation, relatable teaching, and community-driven learning — and that’s exactly what I bring to every school partnership through BAM Digital Media.
What Sets Us Apart
Most digital literacy programs stop at “be safe online.”
Schools end up with students who know the rules but still make the same choices. This curriculum goes further — covering algorithm awareness, AI literacy, digital reputation, and career readiness across four phases and twelve weeks, with measurable behavior change built in.
Other programs are taught by people who read about this. This one is taught by someone who built a career from it.
For 14 years, Schnelle Acevedo has worked as a full-time digital entrepreneur — partnering with Disney, Netflix, Amazon, and P&G. That lived experience is what makes the difference in how students receive it.
One curriculum shouldn’t require different programs for different grades.
Every session in this curriculum includes Elementary, Middle School, and High School tiers — so your whole school is covered without managing multiple vendors or materials.
Procurement paperwork shouldn’t block good programs from reaching students.
BAM Digital Media is NYC and NYS MWBE certified, NYC DOE vendor approved, and Project PIVOT eligible. We help with the documentation so you can focus on the kids.
Language barriers shouldn’t keep families out of the conversation.
All family-facing materials are available in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole — so every household in your school community can stay informed and engaged.
Programs that don’t fit your schedule don’t get used.
Sessions run 45–60 minutes and work in-person across all five boroughs or virtually. After-school and enrichment formats are available so the program fits how your school actually operates.
What You Can Expect
Complete Materials
Slide decks, activities, printables, assessments, take-home guides, and schoolwide posters — everything your team needs, provided and ready.
45–60 Minute Sessions
Designed to fit standard class periods. Flexible scheduling during school hours, after-school, or enrichment programming blocks.
Impact Reporting
Pre/post reflection prompts and simple reporting summaries so administrators can document and demonstrate measurable impact.
Collaborative Planning
We work directly with principals, tech coordinators, and after-school directors to tailor pacing, content, and metrics to your school.
Certificates & Recognition
Digital Citizen certificates for students at the Week 12 showcase. PD completion certificates for educators. Visible artifacts that build school culture.
Accessible Design
High-contrast slides, clear iconography, and screen-reader-friendly PDFs. Inclusive for all learners across every classroom.
Ready to Bring This to Your School?
Let’s map the right program for your students, educators, and families. Project PIVOT eligible — we’ll help with the documentation.