Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Google+ the list goes on....
When I was in high school (and I won’t disclose when that was), Xanga and MySpace were my sharing and blog sites of choice—they were THE sites to be on. My parents were less than thrilled as social media sites were somewhat new and they didn’t understand why I wanted to share my feelings, agenda, and random thoughts to the world. I had to convince them this is what everyone was doing online and that I wouldn’t be kidnapped. (Cue the song “Parents Just Don’t Understand.”) However, if a technology expert explained the implications of inappropriate posts, my friends and I would have accepted netiquette rules.
Digital citizenship is the norm of appropriate and responsible Internet behavior based on nine themes including commerce, law, communication and etiquette . Today, educators focus their efforts on plagiarism and piracy (law). Consequently, teachers and administrators struggle with who should be addressing netiquette. All too often, they avoid it and “respectfully” rely on parents to set standards for their children’s social media use.
Unfortunately, holding parents solely responsible for teaching digital behavior is impractical. It takes a community to raise children, therefore digital citizenship should be taught through education and parents. According to the Cable In The Classroom 2012 survey, “Parent Views on Digital Citizenship,” of 999 parents, eight of 10 parents wish they had more guidance. The study further showed parents of students ranging from the elementary to sophomore years expect schools to teach ethical and responsible online behavior. Due to parent interest, school Internet experts should communicate details regarding digital citizenship curriculum and provide resources.
Another reason to institutionalize netiquette is to support the blended learning environment. Teachers look forward to incorporating online communications into their curriculum through blogging, Twitter, and even Facebook. George Couros is a digital leader who consults with educators. In a blog about his workshop, “Networked Educator,” George remarked how teachers became mortified by the sexist and derogatory content easily found in their students’ public Twitter accounts. George recognizes that “To many kids… being on Twitter is [like] being with their closest friends.” Teachers will find themselves in uncomfortable situations unless they lend a hand instilling digital etiquette to this new generation.
Teachers are not the only educators facing issues. Administrators watch helplessly as students’ online actions disrupt the school environment. Cyberbullying, one of the most disruptive consequences of online learning and social media, starts at home and then continues to haunt students on campus.
Imagine if your school had a student who created a Twitter account for the sole purpose of anonymously spreading lies, exploiting crushes, and revealing sex-capades of peers. This happened last spring at Hudson High School, a public school in Ohio. Stories such as this occur in private-independent, public, and charter schools nearly everyday.
Written in the “Sex, Lies and Subtweets” article in The Verge: “[Hudson] Students say that [their school] policies often lag far behind the latest technology fads; they giggled when the annual presentation about sexting included a video that featured a flip phone. ‘They’re trying to help, but they’re so out of touch,’ says Will Smidlein, 16, an incoming junior at Hudson.” Clearly, to keep students safe, educators must update their digital citizenship curriculum yearly—or the lesson will be rejected as old news.
Reference:
“Sex, Lies and Subtweets: Ohio high school tormented by Twitter gossip” The Verge by Casey Newton August 6, 2013
“New Research Says Parents Believe It’s Important for Children To Learn About Digital Citizenship” NCTA.com Press Release February 6, 2013
Additional ISM Articles of Interest
ISM Monthly Update for Risk Managers Vol. 3 No. 1 Crisis Planning-It’s Your Job
ISM Monthly Update for Admission Officers Vol 10 No. 1 Communicating Through Social Media
Additional ISM articles of interest for Gold Consortium members
I&P Vol. 36 No. 3 Addressing Bullying and Sexual Misconduct
