July 9, 2017// Lynn University- Grad Student
Keeping Kids Social in An Anti-Social World!
Villardia Shepherd
We live in a day in age where meaningful relationship and times spent together is slowly becoming extinct like the dinosaurs. Now a day instead of picking up the phone to call a friend it has turned into a text message or DM (direct message) in their social media inbox. In the past writing a good old fashion “Dear John Letter” or writing to a “Pen-Pal” and placing it in the mailbox to be mailed out has changed into an electronic e-mail where just hit the “send” key to deliver it. Instead of meeting up with friends at the park or a restaurant to hang out and catch up on life, kids are having virtual rendezvous on WhatsApp, Hangout, GroupMe, Skype, or some other type of social media app. To keep up with friends and family and beware of what is taking place in their personal lives we look to Facebook posting and status, pictures uploaded on Instagram (IG), or quick 10 second videos or Snaps strategically (showing a fun time) placed on Snap Chat that will expire in 24 hours or when the owner removes it. As humans, we live for “likes” and “views” on social media instead of personal and physical connections. So, how can we continue to keep or kid’s social in a world that quickly becoming more anti-social as every second ticks away?
Let me first say, that I am not against social media, but I am for limiting the amount of time and interaction our kids spend on it. I understand we live in a world, where technology is incorporated in just about everything we do, but it should not be a reason why people are making the decision to interact less with one another in the physical sense. I believe that technology used for school related purposes are very beneficial, because it brings the world to students at the stroke of a key. It allows students to discover different countries and places. Students get watch videos on specific topic, tutorials, and view information about a particular country, but I don’t agree with using the social media part unless it’s for an educational purpose. In the article, “10 Reasons Why Social Media is a Negative Influence” there third reason is Lack of Socialization. In the article it states, “People today are interacting less and less with other people unless it is through a cell phone or other technological device” (Bensen, 2016). Social Media has helped to increase cyber bulling, increase in mental/psychological disorders, obesity, and a plethora of other things, but I will not focus on those aspects of why I feel social media should be limited. I feel that too much time on social media is turning or kids into Robots. Robots do not worry or care about personal connections and relationships, but more concerned with doing what they were programmed to do which is a specific task. We don’t want our kids to develop the mindset that communicating and interactions is a “task” they should do, because that what is expected. If, students are using the different type of apps for educational purposes (homework/project), then I understand, but as a way to maintain a relationship with friends then I’m against it.
Here are some ways as a classroom teacher and parent that I feel we can increase interactions amongst students, family, and friends while still using technology as an aide:
- Pen Pals with a Twist- Partner up with a friend that may be a teacher at another school and have students write Pen-Pals letters back in forth to one another. This will require students to be taught how to properly address a letter and envelope. Must inform the parents of course and set some ground rules about personal information (address and phone numbers) being shared. Students can type out the letter, but they will still be required to mail it the old fashion way.
- Group Projects- Have students complete a Science Project or for another subject working in groups of 2-4. Require that students to create a power-point slide presentation or another form or presentation using technology. An app being used to communicate for a school project is understandable then.
- Research Projects-Require students to research a topic, but they have to use actual books, newspapers, or magazines articles. If, they do use a search engine, it must be a verified site and not just Wikepedia.
- Family Trips/Vacations/Reunions-I truly believe that family trips, vacations, and reunions is a great way to learn about the family. Parents and kids should partake in these activates as much as possible to continue to build bonds and personal connections. Students cand document it and share it on a site like Prezi. This allows students to still be social and incorporate technology.
- Classroom Blog/Site- Allows students to express their thoughts and share ideas. This is a great form of communication from teacher to student and student to student as well. This requires students to write in standard English and short hand or text talk is not permitted during this time. Teachers can create a classroom Blog where students can share and interact with one another. Example of a great page would be Edmodo.
So, before I log out, I will stress it is important to limit the amount of time students spend on social media apps and find ways to increase person to person interactions. We are raising humans and not robots, and want them to successful members of society. If, kids are interacting with technology for educational purposes, then I understand, but just as a way to connect with friends, then this needs to be limited. Technology used for educational purposes exposes our kids to different worlds in a matter of seconds, but certain types of apps should be monitored if it will not truly benefit the student educationally. Technology should be used to help expose or students to different things, but not to shelter them from others.
References
Bensen, Samantha. “10 Reasons Whey Social Media Is a Negative Influence”. Retrieved on July 9, 2017 from: https://www.theodysseyonline.com/10-reasons-social-media-negative-influence