Welcome to an insightful discussion on how to proactively approach social media challenges. I’m Jennifer Ehland, Senior Regional Manager for Common Sense Education, and I’m joined by my colleague Jamie Nunez from the Bay Area. We’re here to help you navigate the complexities of social media challenges that young people face today.
Our conversation will be available on the Common Sense Education YouTube channel, along with all the resources we mention. Let’s dive into the world of social media challenges and explore how we can address these digital dilemmas effectively.
Young people often use social media to connect with peers, whether through games or challenges. The desire for connection and acceptance is significant, and we’ve noticed a rise in incidents related to social media challenges. Over the next 30 minutes, we’ll explore these challenges and offer a proactive approach to managing them.
Jamie will guide us through understanding and addressing these challenges. Many challenges circulate on platforms like TikTok, and we’ll focus on one example: the “Kiss Your BFF” challenge. This challenge involves kids potentially kissing someone else’s partner, highlighting the need for awareness and understanding.
First, it’s crucial to identify the challenge and understand its dynamics. Recognize who is involved: the creator, participants, and the audience. Each group has different motivations and feelings. Creators might seek attention, participants may feel pressured to join in, and bystanders could feel uncomfortable.
As educators, we must create a safe environment for students to express their feelings. Listening and asking the right questions can help uncover the underlying issues leading to these challenges. Once we understand the emotions involved, we can brainstorm solutions.
Engage students in brainstorming unique ways to address or mitigate the challenge. Encourage them to take ownership of the solutions. For instance, students could sign a pledge to avoid harmful challenges or create positive alternatives that foster healthy connections.
After envisioning solutions, the next step is to take action. Consider how to communicate about the challenge effectively. While emails or meetings are common, ensure the communication is comfortable and relevant for students.
We’ve discussed a framework for addressing digital dilemmas, and we’ll provide a handout outlining this routine. This approach can be applied to various issues students face, from fear of missing out to handling inappropriate content online.
In summary, it’s essential to remain impartial, tailor challenges to meet your students’ needs, and establish clear norms for discussions. Thank you for joining us. We hope you feel more confident in addressing these challenges and supporting your students in navigating their digital lives.
Research a current social media challenge, such as the “Kiss Your BFF” challenge. Identify the key players involved: creators, participants, and audience. Discuss their motivations and the potential impact of the challenge. Present your findings to the class, highlighting the dynamics and consequences of the challenge.
Organize a group discussion where you and your peers can express feelings and thoughts about social media challenges. Focus on listening actively and asking insightful questions to uncover underlying issues. Use this session to practice creating a supportive environment for open dialogue.
Work in small groups to brainstorm positive alternatives to harmful social media challenges. Develop creative ideas that promote healthy connections and community engagement. Share your proposals with the class and discuss how these alternatives can be implemented effectively.
Create a communication plan to raise awareness about a specific social media challenge. Consider the most effective channels and methods to reach your peers, such as social media posts, school newsletters, or workshops. Ensure your plan is engaging and relevant to your audience.
Utilize the framework for addressing digital dilemmas provided in the handout. Apply it to a real-life scenario involving a social media challenge. Work through the steps to identify the problem, explore solutions, and take action. Reflect on how this framework can help you navigate digital challenges in the future.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript, removing any informal language and ensuring clarity while maintaining the original message:
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Hello everyone, and welcome to the Common Sense Education chat on a proactive approach to social media challenges. My name is Jennifer Ehland, and I am the Senior Regional Manager for Common Sense Education. Joining me today is my colleague Jamie Nunez from the Bay Area.
Thank you for joining us today. This conversation will be posted on our Common Sense Education YouTube channel, along with all the links and resources we discuss.
To kick things off, we know that young people frequently turn to social media to connect with their peers, whether it’s a younger student engaging in a game or a high school student participating in a challenge. The need for connection and acceptance is very real for our kids, and we have seen an increase in incidents related to social media challenges.
Over the next 30 minutes, we will take a deep dive into these challenges and provide you with a proactive approach to addressing the digital dilemmas we all face. I will turn it over to Jamie to guide us through this experience.
Thank you, Jennifer. If you are curious about how to address some of these challenges that our kids encounter in their digital lives, sit back, as we will provide insights and support on how to tackle them.
We know that many challenges circulate across different platforms. We will discuss one of these challenges and share what we are seeing as upcoming challenges on TikTok. For example, we will use the “Kiss Your BFF” challenge to illustrate a process for addressing these issues.
As we discuss this, we encourage you to adopt a proactive approach rather than a reactive one. There are significant implications for communities when kids engage in these challenges, and it can be challenging to create positive learning environments when these issues arise.
First, we want to identify the challenge. In this case, the “Kiss Your BFF” challenge involves kids potentially kissing someone else’s partner. It is important to recognize that these challenges exist and to understand what is happening.
Next, we need to identify who is involved. This includes the creator of the challenge, the participants, and the audience. Each group has different perspectives and feelings about the challenge.
For instance, the creator may seek attention, while participants might feel pressure to replicate the challenge to gain validation. Bystanders may feel helpless or uncomfortable watching these events unfold.
As educators, it is crucial to create a safe space for students to express their feelings. We must listen and ask the right questions to understand the underlying issues that lead to these challenges.
Once we have identified the feelings involved, we can begin to envision options for addressing the challenge. This involves brainstorming unique ways for students to resolve or mitigate the challenge and reinforce a positive school culture.
Engaging students in this brainstorming process is vital. We want to empower them to take agency in resolving these issues. For example, students might sign a pledge to avoid participating in harmful challenges or create alternative challenges that promote positive connections.
After envisioning options, the final step is to take action. This includes how to communicate about the challenge and what message to convey. While sending out an email or holding a meeting may seem like a straightforward approach, it is essential to consider how to make the communication comfortable and relevant for students.
We have discussed a framework for addressing digital dilemmas, and we will provide a handout that outlines this thinking routine. This routine can be applied to various dilemmas students face daily, from fear of missing out to dealing with inappropriate content online.
In summary, the key takeaways from our discussion include the importance of staying impartial, personalizing the challenges to fit the needs of your students, and establishing clear norms for discussions around these issues.
Thank you for joining us today. We hope you feel more confident in addressing these challenges in your classroom and supporting your students in navigating their digital lives.
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This version maintains the essence of the original conversation while ensuring clarity and professionalism.
Social Media – Platforms and tools that enable users to create, share, and exchange information and ideas in virtual communities and networks. – Social media has become a powerful tool for educators to engage with students and share educational resources.
Challenges – Situations that require a response or solution, often testing one’s abilities or understanding. – Educators face numerous challenges in integrating technology effectively into their teaching practices.
Connection – A relationship or link between people, ideas, or things that facilitates interaction and understanding. – Building a strong connection with students is essential for fostering a positive learning environment.
Awareness – The knowledge or perception of a situation, fact, or issue, often leading to informed decision-making. – Raising awareness about global issues is a critical component of social studies education.
Educators – Individuals who provide instruction or education, often in a formal setting, and facilitate learning. – Educators play a crucial role in shaping the critical thinking skills of their students.
Emotions – Complex psychological states that involve an individual’s subjective experience, physiological response, and behavioral expression. – Understanding students’ emotions can help educators tailor their teaching methods to better meet individual needs.
Solutions – Methods or processes for solving a problem or dealing with a difficult situation. – Collaborative discussions often lead to innovative solutions for educational challenges.
Communication – The process of exchanging information, ideas, or feelings between individuals or groups, often leading to mutual understanding. – Effective communication is essential for successful teamwork and collaboration in any professional setting.
Dilemmas – Situations in which a difficult choice must be made between two or more alternatives, often involving moral or ethical considerations. – Educators frequently encounter dilemmas when balancing curriculum requirements with students’ diverse needs.
Students – Individuals who are engaged in learning, typically in an educational institution, and are the primary focus of teaching efforts. – Students are encouraged to develop critical thinking skills to navigate complex social and political issues.
