Ok, so I know I’m going to seem like the old fuddy-duddy with her rotary dial phone who just cannot accept the evolving technological ways of the educational world. But first of all, I’m not that old. Second, it’s not about technology itself, and third…I do not still have a rotary phone!
Let me first clear this up by saying that I totally embrace technology and the amazing, endless capabilities and opportunities it provides, especially with education. This technology class has opened my eyes to many new options with technology and the digital world that I would have never even contemplated possible and given me a new perspective on the vast potential of its implementation in education. I am totally on board with holograms, virtual meetings, blogging, real-time communication, and creative collaboration and learning through various applications, websites, and many other cool techy stuff that I don’t even know about yet. I am not, however, on board with the integration of social media outlets in education and learning in the classroom.
Actually, I am not on board with social media at all. You want to hear my roast of reasons for the disdain of such a cancer to our humane society? Of course you do, (even if you don’t, pretend you do for just a moment)! Social media is linked with increased rates of cyberbullying, anxiety, depression, poor self-image, narcissism, and poor sleep. Social media is described as more addictive than cigarettes and alcohol (smartsocial.com, 2018). More specifically in a recent study from Nottingham Trent University, addiction criteria have concluded “Facebook Addiction Disorder” as “neglect of personal life, mental preoccupation, escapism, mood modifying experiences, tolerance and concealing the addictive behavior” which are present in some people who use social media networks excessively (Walton, 2017). This is quite alarming considering 95% of teens ages 13-17 use some form of social media and 45% of those teens say they’re online almost constantly (Pew Research Center, 2018). I think we all know at least 18 people who display many of these symptoms!
Sure, social media has its limited potential benefits but are those communication benefits worth implementing into our schools when other avenues for communication are available? Or are there any substantial, unparalleled educational learning experiences received from social media that cannot be matched or superseded from other platforms? I say no! Not that I am the supreme word but, the National Association of School Psychologists lists the potential benefits of social media as, helping create a sense of community through the posting of positive messages and connecting audiences; conducting online surveillance; and quickly communicating information (nasponline.com, 2016). What purpose, then, does social media serve in our classrooms with our impressionable children other than to teach them how to use it to communicate? What essential skills are they learning from social media? Crickets….I hear crickets!
Technology integration in the classroom should be about discovery, quickly learning facts and information about various subjects, research, digital application of 3D models and projects that spark the mind to think creatively in new ways while applying the arts and sciences to real-world skills. Give me a real reason to support social media in schools, ahem Mr. Eric Sheninger I’m talking to you!!
Studies have also revealed that the more time people spend on social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Instagram, and Snapchat, the more socially isolated they perceived themselves to be, which is one of the worst feelings for humans, both mentally and physically (Walton, 2017). With revelations like this, we should not rely on the use of social media but other accessible forms of communication in teaching our children and students to digitally connect. Better yet, let’s teach them how to communicate and connect in person through the use of technology with collaboration, brainstorming, inventions, and shared-decision making in cohesive groups and limit the dependency on social media.
Maybe I’m just an old-fashioned, not old, mother who just cannot wrap my mind around the positive aspects of social media or any GOOD reason why this is a must in education, when other viable options exist. Luckily, I am very open-minded and welcome discussions on other points of view, so I would love to hear about other perspectives and experiences with social media in education so I can see it from your eyes and possibly take it off the fire!
References:
National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) (2016). Social Media and School Crises. Retrieved July 9, 2018 from: https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources/school-safety-and-crisis/social-media-and-school-crises.
Pew Research Center, Internet & Technology (2018). Teens, Social Media & Technology. Retrieved July 9, 2018 from: www.pewinternet.org/2018/05/31/teeens-social-media-techniology-2018/.
SmartSocial: Learn How to Shine Online. The Negative Effects of Social Media for Teens. February 23, 2018. Retrieved July 9, 2018 from: https://smartsocial.com/negative-effects-of-social-media/.
Walton, Alice G. (2017). 6 Ways Social Media Affects Our Mental Health. retrieved July 9, 2018 from: https://www.forbes.com/sites/alicegwalton/2017/06/30/a-run-down-of-social-medias-effects-on-our-mental-health/#7f7e44b82e5a.