In the presentation by Dr. Alec Couros in class today, he was mentioning a very important point that my colleagues and I have discussed at our school. There is a prevalence of questionable online behavior in youth today. The immediate forms of attack and ambush that are provided by the social media sites are a real issue. I remember what I was like as a teenager and I would have got myself in a lot of trouble. Moreover, the problem is two-fold: There is what I would say on social media and how that would affect others; and what would be said about me and how I would have been affected.
I am open with my students and tell them how glad I am that social media did not exist when I was a student. I ask them questions like: how do you act on social media? Do you use it often? What social media platforms do you use? And after a lengthy classroom discussion, I ask if they are proud of everything they have posted? The response to that is always a resounding NO! At that point, we look at ways that we can monitor our own behaviour.
It is hard to see a student react when they get a text, or snap, that you know crushed them. You can literally watch them emotionally collapse. Nowhere is safe when the problem is chirping at you from your pocket. The argument is, “well just don’t use it,” but then the phenomenon of FOMO (fear of missing out) comes into play. As much as I try to open the dialogue of proper digital citizenship, I feel that I am up against forces that are too strong. I have yet to crack the code.
By: Andrew Vogelsang
If over a much longer time period (hundreds of years?), people haven’t solved the issue of bullying, I’m not really sure why people expect us to solve the issue of online bullying and harassment with the snap of our fingers. We can certainly try, but I think we need to remember that social media didn’t invent the concept of bullying- it sometimes just makes it easier to witness.
I agree social media did not create it and it will always be there. Unfortunately, there is no reprieve for the kids. It is anywhere they have their phone. I, like you wish we could just snap our fingers. Thank you for the comment.