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Declaring March 2-8, 2025, as Teen Tech Week in the City of Philadelphia, and recognizing the importance of digital literacy to empower teens to be informed and responsible digital citizens.
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WHEREAS, Teen Tech Week is a national initiative established in 2007 by the Young Adult Library Services Association, a division of the American Library Association, to encourage parents, educators and other adults to ensure that their teens are learning and navigating the digital landscape in a safe and ethical way; and
WHEREAS, Teen Tech Week encourages teens to utilize nonprint resources, such as online databases, audiobooks, video games, and websites, in libraries for educational and recreational purposes, learning to recognize threats and risk, as well as trusting librarians as qualified professionals in the field of information technology; and
WHEREAS, According to the Pew Research Center, 95% of teens have access to a smartphone and 96% of teens use the internet daily, highlighting the importance of safe and secure digital media navigation for recreational purposes; and
WHEREAS, Since the COVID-19 pandemic, online learning has become more prevalent and has been utilized to keep students engaged during unexpected events, such as snow days and sick days; and
WHEREAS, Twenty-five percent of K-12 teachers are concerned that the use of Artificial Intelligence for schoolwork is more harmful than beneficial, signifying an increased need for digital literacy and guardrails for the use of AI for educational purposes; and
WHEREAS, A variety of organizations in Philadelphia provide digital literacy, digital access, and technology training and empowerment programs for teens and young adults in Philadelphia, including Hopeworks, Coded by: Launchpad, and Philadelphia Academies, Inc. the Free Library of Philadelphia offers access to the internet as well as programs and services for deepening
knowledge about technology; and
WHEREAS, Teen Tech Week highlights the importance of teens developing and strengthening their critical thinking skills, problem solving skills, and digital literacy, especially in an evolving digital landscape. Digital literacy is becoming a key component in successful learning, whether academically or societally. Tech skills are an essential part of job readiness and have the potential to unlock career and entrepreneurship opportunities; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby declares March 2-8, 2025 as Teen Tech Week in the City of Philadelphia, and recognizes the importance of digital literacy to empower teens to be informed and responsible digital citizens.
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