It’s pretty
obvious that today’s society revolves and is structured around the use of
social media and technology, especially for youth. According to a poll, “22% of teenagers log on to their favorite
social media site more than 10 times a day, and more than half of adolescents
log on to a social media site more than once a day”(Common Sense Media). Today,
in almost every classroom, mall, restaurant, or public setting, you can take a
look around and see nearly every teenager staring down at his or her cell phone,
tablet, or laptop. The use of social media and the advancement of technology in
recent decades have shown to benefit youth by enhancing communication, social
connection, and technology skills. However, the use of social media has also
become a risk factor to youth because of online harassment, cyber bullying,
sexting, and inappropriate influences. Because of a combination of all of these
factors resulting from the use of social media, youth of today’s generation
tend to be more prone to self-harm and low self-esteem.
The rise of the recent technology
and social media generations has differed from past generations because of the
worldwide range of communication that is available and easily accessible to
almost all of today’s youth. Young people in today’s generation have grown to
ignore verbal and in-person communication, while until now, that was the only
way to communicate with someone. The advancement of technology and the
worldwide use of social media has allowed constant and immediate communication
between anyone from anywhere around the world, and while this has had such a
positive impact on the advancement of world relations, so many people forget
the simplicity and importance of face-to-face communication and relationships.
The risk factors that come along
with the widespread use of technology and social media will without a doubt
have an extreme impact on me as an educator. First of all, in most public
schools today, “BYOT” (Bring Your Own Technology) and the inclusion of the
Internet and technology is incorporated and expected in most classrooms. However,
as a teacher, I cannot control how my students use technology and social media
outside of the classroom, and unfortunately, sometimes the problems aroused
between students online can cause conflict in the classroom. In fact, recent
studies shows that “youth who are victimized
electronically are also very likely to also be victimized off-line” (Mitchell).
If students are being bullied or harassed online, it is very likely that that
bullying will continue within the classroom. Therefore, as an educator, it is
my responsibility to control these problems that may arouse within the classroom
and teach my students the importance of online safety.
Common Sense
Media. Is Technology Networking Changing Childhood? A National Poll. San Francisco, CA: Common Sense Media;
2009. www.commonsensemedia.org/sites/default/files/CSM_teen_social_media_0 80609_FINAL.pdf
Mitchell KJ, Finkelhor D, Wolak J, et al.
Youth Internet Victimization in a Broader Victimization
Context. J Adolesc Health 2011;48:128–134.
I too addressed technology as the most important risk factor for students (Ironic haha). I agree that cyber bullying is becoming a huge problem. Students who were once only bullied at school can no longer find any relief from the torment. It will dramatically affect the way we handle our classrooms, but I agree that there isn't much we can do about their use outside of the classroom. Technology has improved our lives in so many ways that it is sometimes hard to see the negative effects until they have already taken hold.
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