Blog Post #8: Social Media in Schools
As I write this blog post hours before it's due, I can't help but fear that I am a victim of today's topic. My phone is currently completely shut off and sitting on the floor on the other side of the room because there is simply no other way I would've been able to get my work done in time. As a student, I have seen and experienced the pros and cons of social media throughout my educational journey. While both sides add up to quite monumental amounts, I must say this: social media usage cannot continue on the path it is currently on. Reforms need to be made immediately.
Social media has its issues and its benefits, many of which have been discussed thoroughly throughout this class already. Access to social media can provide a sense of community for students who can't seem to find it. I have heard stories and stories from many of my friends, specifically those who identify as LGBTQ+, where they did not feel comfortable in the community they lived in, so they turned to social media to find friends. Social media is just that: social. These benefits can save a child from self-harm, teach a child about something they haven't learned before, or simply just put a smile on their face for a moment while they ignore everything else going wrong in their life. I'm not going to argue that social media is incredibly harmful for students and should be banned altogether because that would be a lie. But we cannot sit here and act like social media does not do damage in the school system.
As Klein discusses in her article, "it’s better to keep cellphones in school and help train students how to use them responsibly, rather than just banning their use" (2019). This is the most reasonable adjustment in my opinion. To ban cell phones outright in schools will not teach students anything. They can easily be sneaky with their usage, and cell phones are simply unavoidable. The point of education is to prepare students for life, not to police their activities. To form better habits, students should be learning how to use their cell phones in a productive manner and know when it is unnecessary to be using them. This is the role educators need to take on. In other words, "school leaders must proactively work with parents to educate children about the potential downside of social media usage and teach them strategies to self-manage potentially addictive behaviors associated with social media" (Mittal, 2022, as cited in Franklin, 2023). If the support system of students is genuinely working to support the students, then these reforms might actually succeed.
Healthy habits need to be discussed and introduced into the lives of students before it is too late. Social media is a tool of comparison and is becoming extremely detrimental to the mental health of teenagers; "they haven't had as much time to make social connections in real life as older people have, so they are even more dependent on their phones for social validation" (Kamenetz, 2019). Checking your phone for many likes and comments you have becomes an anxiety inducing activity, but it is also incredibly addictive when you feel the rush of a tiny bit of approval from someone on the internet. As Richard Grannon states in the documentary Plugged In: The True Toxicity of Social Media, "algorithms and artificial intelligence that you engage with when you open your smartphone and use social media affect and condition your brain and the dopamine reward system and your central nervous system, and even your very perceptions of reality itself" (Willett, 2019, 5:16). The science behind why social media is so addicting is scary and needs to be discussed with students much more often.
The question is: how?
Open discussion about the consequences of overuse of social media with students is key. Having an ongoing, two-way conversation about "the importance of protecting their privacy, the permanence of posting on the internet, and the signs of cyberbullying" needs to be done in the classroom (Tips for Healthy..., 2023). As educators, we must create a safe environment for expression of thoughts and concerns regarding social media and cell phone usage. Discussing the benefits and the drawbacks of social media on a regular basis is vital to getting the message across to students.
Perhaps, if my former teachers had done this, this blog post would have been completed days ago.
References
Klein, A. (2019, September 6). Schools say no to cell phones. But is it a smart move? Education Week. Link
Kamenetz, A. (2019, August 27). NPR's The Scientific Debate over Teens, Screens, and Mental Health. National Public Radio. Link
Ruxer Franklin, A. (2023, January 12). 3 out of 4 parents say social media is a major distraction for students, according to New Study. Rice News | News and Media Relations | Rice University. Retrieved April 12, 2023, from https://news.rice.edu/news/2023/3-out-4-parents-say-social-media-major-distraction-students-according-new-study
Tips for healthy social media use: For parents and teens. University of Utah Health | University of Utah Health. (2023, March 29). Retrieved April 12, 2023, from https://healthcare.utah.edu/healthfeed/2023/01/tips-healthy-social-media-use-parents-and-teens
Willett, R. (Director). (2019). Plugged-In: The Toxicity of Social Media Revealed. [YouTube Video]. Brick in the Wall Media.
Hi Colleen,
ReplyDeleteAs you mentioned, social media can have both positive and negative effects on students. It can provide a sense of community and support, but it can also be addictive and detrimental to mental health. Similarly, cell phones can be useful tools for learning and communication, but they can also be distracting and disruptive in the classroom.
I somewhat agree that banning these devices outright may not be the most effective solution. Instead, educators should focus on teaching responsible usage and promoting healthy habits. By engaging in ongoing discussions with students about the consequences of overuse and the importance of privacy and safety online, teachers can help students develop the skills and knowledge they need to use these devices in a positive and productive way.
It's also important to consider the role of parents and guardians in this issue. As Mittal (2022) suggests, schools should work proactively with parents to educate children about the potential downside of social media usage and teach them strategies to self-manage potentially addictive behaviors. This collaboration between schools and families can create a more supportive and effective learning environment for students.
Overall, the use of social media and cell phones in the classroom is a complex issue that requires thoughtful consideration and action. By working together and promoting responsible usage, we can help students navigate the challenges and opportunities of the digital age.
Hi Colleen, I like your closing sentence and your personal connections that you have made throughout your blog. Is it possible for school districts to have an impact on cell phone usage? I went to public schools in Queens and Brooklyn my entire life. So my experience with cell phones differs than someone who went to a local school district on Long Island. My high school had metal detectors and we were not allowed to bring in any kind of technology due to the metal detectors unless it was an Ipad or laptop. Every morning every single student had to empty out their pockets and hope they remembered to take everything metal out of their bags. We even had our sandwiches that were wrapped in aluminum foil checked to see if there was anything hidden inside of the wrapping. What I'm getting at is that there may be different reasons for banning phones in schools. My high school had students that were gang members so this prevented them from contacting other members to fight after or even during school. I also feel with adolescents it is more difficult to tell them to not do something and expect them to listen to us. They are at a stage in their lives where they are rebelling against the rules and it is difficult to tell them to not do something. Thinking back to my high school days my peers and I were educating our teachers on how technology works. I believe it is essential to teach students about the pros and cons of technology but in my future classroom everything will be done with paper and pencil and we will only use calculators when necessary. I believe it is important for us to build up our skills and not fully rely on technology for everything.
ReplyDeleteHi Colleen,
ReplyDeleteI found your blog post for the week to be very informative and beneficial in trying to better comprehend the role of social media in schools today. I really liked how you started your blog with a description of how it relates to you. I also find that I may get too distracted at times by my cellphone and that sometimes, shutting it off and putting it away is how I can best get my work done. Comfort in our world is a very important concept, and it was really fascinating to see you make that connection with comfort and social media. It certainly does provide a sense of community, as you said, which can be so helpful to those who might feel lost or alone in the world. With that in mind, it was also great to see you recognize that social media must be used responsibly. I think with this continued use, we all have a part to play in making social media a safe platform.
Hi Colleen,
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your honesty and can relate to how addicting our phones can be. From social media, emails, texting, and various apps with notifications, it is effortless to be distracted by your phone throughout the day. Now, imagine what it must be like for our students. I also noted in my blog the idea of implementing technology training for students in school and making students aware of the harm and recognizing addictive behavior. Unfortunately, Social Media and Technology companies are only beginning to set app boundaries and time limits. The joint force with teachers, parents, and students to understand the needs/wants of helpful technology is essential. It takes a village; having students included in the conversation and hearing their concerns is part of the process. With the accessibility of technology to students in school, it is an excellent resource for research and gathering information. Still, students should also be aware of the negative features it can lead to. Great post!