With the school year quickly passing by I have noticed a concerning pattern of events taking place on Monday mornings that I want to share with you. Almost without fail, I receive a call from a parent informing me about an incident over the previous weekend involving their child on social media. Often, at the start of the week, one or more of our students will go directly to our school counselors to report a distressing exchange of words or pictures between groups of students. These reports seem to involve an ever increasing number of students, and the language used is hurtful and just plain mean at times. We respond to these reports in a variety of ways and spend a great deal of time investigating and reaching out to parents who are often unaware of the extent of their child’s cyber presence. This issue requires home and school to come together to deliver a consistent message.
We are attentive to both the dangers and benefits of social media APPs, and our teachers cover cyber safety in a variety of settings in elementary school and several times during middle school in Health, Digital Literacy and regular class meetings where we cover character education. We use direct instruction about how students can use social media appropriately, and how to be aware of situations that can be harmful to them. There seems to be a growing gap between what we are teaching and what we personally see on the posts students and parents show us.
We would be naïve to suggest that we should ban students in this age range from the use of social media, although that might be appropriate for some who demonstrate that they are not ready. Even with all of the potential negatives, social media has the ability to connect people in real time…sharing important events, allowing for collaboration and strengthening relationships. We want this for our students. But if there isn’t sufficient monitoring of a child’s digital life they may land in a dark place.
Below we have gathered a list of tips from a variety of sources that you might want to review with your child:
- Don’t allow kids to use devices in their rooms or in other private areas of the house.
- Don’t connect with or 'friend' people that you don’t know.
- Don’t use your full name for any accounts or in posts
- Don’t give personal information to people such as phone number, address or the school you attend
- Don’t meet anyone in person that you connect with online
- Don’t reply to messages that harass you or make you feel uncomfortable
- Don’t share passwords with anyone but your parents
- Don’t post anything you wouldn’t want your parents, grandparents, teachers or a coach to see
- Do block bullies or inappropriate people
- Do report people that harass or bully others to your parents and/or school
- Do use privacy settings that different APPs offer – keep your accounts private, not public
- Do tell your children that you will monitor their posts and activity on social media
- Do limit technology use = set a specific time limit for kids
- Do put devices away at 9 PM and go to bed
- Do charge devices in a common area of the house (not in the bedroom!)
- Do have ‘device-free’ times such as during meals or right before bed
- Do take the device away from your child if they are engaged in inappropriate behavior
- Do keep an open dialogue with your kids about social media – you’re not harassing them, you’re being a parent!
In addition, the links below provide two very good articles that parents and guardians of middle school students should absolutely take the time to read:
How to Prepare Your Child for Online Networking
http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/article/your-child-technology/how-to-prepare-your-child-online-networking?eml=PCM/smd/20170206/Twitter/OnlineNetworking&linkId=34191775
Social Media 101: Five Things Parents Need To Do Right Now
http://roadkillgoldfish.com/social-media-101/
Both middle schools are currently working on putting together an informational presentation for parents and guardians of our middle school students to help provide you with tools and strategies to help you at home. As soon as we get the logistics worked out we will get the date and time out to everyone.
We Celebrate Learning!
Beth
Follow us on Twitter @camillusmiddle
