Digital Defenders, Madisyn Baker, Teshuani Thompson, and Morgan Baker. {courtesy}
Three seniors from Coral Glades High School have founded Digital Defenders, a nonprofit initiative dedicated to teaching elementary students essential digital literacy and internet safety skills.
The three founders — sisters Madisyn and Morgan Baker and Teshauni Thompson, all longtime Coral Springs residents — tell Coral Springs Talk that their experiences growing up in a tech-age world inspired them to create Digital Defenders, which they recently launched at Westchester Elementary School on October 21.
“We were inspired to start Digital Defenders because we saw how essential digital literacy and internet safety are for kids, especially as they spend more time online,” co-founder Madisyn Baker told Coral Springs Talk, adding that their goal is to help fellow students handle these challenges “After seeing some of the challenges and risks young students face on the internet, we realized we could make a difference by teaching these skills in an accessible way.”
The program’s curriculum, geared toward students in grades 3 to 5, focuses on online privacy, identifying trustworthy sources, recognizing cyberbullying, and basic cybersecurity practices.
The trio says Digital Defenders uses Google’s “Be Internet Awesome” curriculum to equip children with the tools to navigate the digital world safely but in a fun way they’ll grasp.
“We make sure lessons are interactive and relatable,” Madisyn said, “We use games, role-playing scenarios, and real-life examples that connect with students’ daily experiences.”
Madisyn says that some Digital Defenders teachings involve kids in real-world scenarios that help them make decisions on the spot.
“One of our favorite activities is a ‘spot the scam’ challenge, which encourages critical thinking while being fun.”
In addition to their set lessons, Digital Defenders collaborates with teachers to integrate lessons into their regular curriculum.
“We provide tips for parents to reinforce safe online behavior at home,” said Madisyn. “This collaborative approach ensures students receive consistent messaging about online safety.”
The founders tell Coral Springs Talk their vision for the program’s future is vast but will come in phases that they hope eventually expand into other local schools, including Heron Heights, Country Hills, Coral Springs Elementary, Eagle Ridge, and Parkside Elementary.
“In the short term, I see Digital Defenders expanding into aftercare programs across Broward County elementary schools,” Madisyn explained. “Long-term, I envision us hosting school-wide assemblies on digital safety throughout Broward County.”
The founders themselves say each has big plans outside the future of Digital Defenders. Morgan Baker hopes to attend Duke University to study computer science, Madisyn Baker plans to pursue nursing at the University of Miami, and Teshauni Thompson aims to major in marketing at the University of Central Florida.
To get your school involved with the Digital Defenders initiative, follow and contact the founders on Instagram at @digitaldefenderss.
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