Driver’s education makes sense. You learn how to use the
machine and typical rules of engagement associated with it so you lessen the
risk of damaging yourself or others.
Social media ethics education makes sense for the very same reasons.
Many schools are acquiring funding for iPad roll out strategies for preK-12th
graders. Yet there is not a cohesive strategy across school districts regarding
protocol, social media use or how much time kids spend on the devices.
One thing is certain, unless ethics is part of the school’s
training in iPad and computer programs usage, there is the potential for irreparable
damage kids could cause with the hand held piece of machinery. Once the school
provides any connectivity device to students they have a responsibility to help educate on
proper social conduct. I feel parents need to help drive this
effort by participating in school led planning sessions on ethics content
development.
The major focus of such programs, albeit good intentioned,
is getting kids on board with technology sooner so they can be technologically
savvy to compete in tomorrow’s job market. You have to buy that logic to be
on board with this program, but let’s set that reasoning aside to address
immediate issues. A few questions come to mind for me. The first being, do
three year-olds really need their own tablets? Secondly, at what grade should
schools begin such a program and how is that determined? How are schools
educating kids about ethics for social media participation prior to giving
tablets to students? The final big question is how are schools managing
student’s media use in class in consideration of before or after school use?
I understand the
intention of such programs and I am also concerned about increasing screen time
at school at how it ties back to AAP guidelines. Earlier this year the American
Academy of Pediatrics gave the statement: “
The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages media use by children
younger than age 2 and recommends limiting older children's screen time to no
more than one or two hours a day.” With tablets passed out to the
youngest of the school set kids are more than likely blowing past screen
consumption recommendations.
I find it ironic that in schools where ADHD is apparently on
the rise and we hear complaints of fidgety kids, tired kids, kids that have a
hard time paying attention we are piling on the potential for more screen time.
If your kid just got a shiny new tablet you might want to consider creating a
parent coalition at your child’s school. Mandate social media ethics education
and discuss appropriate limits on screen time used during school for your
child’s education. Knowing how to communicate effectively and appropriately is
as important for kids as knowing how to use the tools to do so.
For further reading on this topic:
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