In our Wellness classes, we discuss social media use, and the influence social media can have on our mental and physical health – both positively and negatively. In grade 8 these conversations have been happening recently. In grades 6 & 7, they will look at digital citizenship a few weeks after Songkran.
Students learn the THINK model for deciding if a post is responsible and kind, and understanding the role of teen brain development and the influence of technology. We are looking at how to prevent cyberbullying, and have a healthy relationship with social media and technology.
Many parents are also highly engaged on social media platforms, and yet we spend little time considering this question: “do parents have the right to post any picture of their child on social media accounts without the child’s knowledge and/or consent?” It’s an interesting question.
To help you contemplate this, here is an article about Gwyneth Paltrow and her daughter, Apple. They publicly had a disagreement over a photo Gwyneth posted of Apple. While the celebrity factor brings this disagreement to the public’s attention, gossip aside, it does raise interesting questions about our own role as parents in helping our students manage their online presence.
The article closes with this thought:
“We are equally responsible for ensuring the way our kids are represented online is in their best interest, not ours. Checking if your child is comfortable with the photo you want to post of them online can be a quick, win-win conversation. It also sets up a great, respectful approach to digital etiquette. And we all know that the world needs more of that.”
Reflecting on our own beliefs around social media is important as we teach our children to be responsible digital citizens. How we model reflection and consensual online posting, helps our children learn how to manage this themselves.
We encourage conversations at home about social media in your family. The more we talk about it, the more we can make and model safe decisions for everyone.
ISB Middle School Health & Wellness Teachers