The Digital Defender Program is expanding in Rio Rancho schools. Last year, the program started in 11 of Rio Rancho’s elementary schools and will now include three of their middle schools. The Digital Defender is a new educational program that teaches safe online behavior. Rio Rancho’s technology teacher, Tiffany Hale, said it’s important to teach students early on. “There are a number of challenges that come with using technology nowadays, and as you said, our youngest consumers are the ones we need to equip,” Hale said.According to the Pew Research Center, 60% of parents say their child 12 years old and younger have interacted with a smart phone. Adding, six in 10 say their child was introduced to it before the age of 5. This is why Hale said it’s imperative to teach students. “Focus each week on a different topic, anything from how to protect their digital footprint to …