Impact Research on Digital Wellness and Safety

This research article presents findings on the effectiveness of the Ignition course designed for middle school students, focusing on digital wellness and safety. The study aimed to assess how well the course increases students' knowledge of digital citizenship concepts and shifts their attitudes towards safe online interactions. Data was collected from students who completed all lessons of the Ignition course in October 2021, with a sample size of 1,113 students. The results indicated a statistically significant increase in knowledge, with students improving their quiz scores by an average of 15.7%. Additionally, while there were positive shifts in attitudes towards prosocial digital behaviors, these changes were not statistically significant. The article emphasizes the importance of dedicated education programs in mitigating risks associated with digital environments, particularly for adolescents who face challenges like cyberbullying and social comparison. The findings suggest that while knowledge acquisition is evident, further efforts are needed to translate this knowledge into consistent safe online practices.