Welcome to our discussion on how to effectively use social media to support students’ emotional and academic growth. I’m Jamie Nunez, the Western Regional Manager at Common Sense, and I’m here with Sue Hotts, the Senior Program Manager at Common Sense.
In today’s world, social media is a primary source of news for many teens. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram, despite their efforts to diversify content, often expose young users to graphic and distressing material. This exposure can lead to feelings of fear, anger, or depression. Research highlights an increase in “remote exposure to real violence,” which can have lasting effects such as grief and anxiety.
Our main goal is to help students critically analyze the content they encounter and build resilience. Sue, as a parent, how do your teenagers navigate social media, and how do you guide them through its benefits and challenges?
Engaging students in conversations about their social media experiences is crucial. Using relevant videos or discussions can provide insights into their perspectives and facilitate meaningful dialogue.
As educators, it’s vital to integrate core dispositions into teaching when addressing these issues. Even young students may encounter content that is not suitable for their developmental stage.
We encourage educators to define key terms such as misinformation and disinformation for students. Understanding these concepts is essential as they navigate social media. Activities could include analyzing recent news or social media content to seek facts and evidence.
Discussing why misinformation and disinformation occur and how they can be spread for profit or agendas is important. This understanding helps students critically evaluate the information they encounter.
We recommend encouraging students to envision alternative actions beyond consuming content. For example, they can explore ways to support causes they care about, such as the situation in Ukraine, by engaging with content that promotes positive action.
Taking action is crucial. Students often want to make a difference, and it’s essential to guide them in ensuring their actions are grounded in reality and integrity.
In summary, our key takeaways are:
Thank you for joining us today. If you would like a certificate for attending or wish to provide feedback, please fill out the form in the description below.
Engage in a group activity where you critically analyze a piece of social media content. Discuss its potential impact on emotions and mental health. Consider how the content aligns with or challenges your understanding of misinformation and disinformation.
Participate in role-playing exercises where you take on the roles of different stakeholders in a social media scenario. This will help you understand diverse perspectives and the importance of critical thinking and resilience in navigating social media.
Work in teams to design a media literacy campaign aimed at educating peers about misinformation and disinformation. Use creative methods such as videos, infographics, or social media posts to convey your message effectively.
Join a discussion circle to share your personal experiences with social media. Reflect on how these experiences have shaped your views and discuss strategies for maintaining a healthy relationship with social media.
Identify a cause you are passionate about and develop a project that uses social media to promote positive action. Ensure your project is grounded in factual information and encourages others to engage constructively.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript, removing any informal language, filler words, and personal anecdotes while maintaining the core message:
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Welcome, and thank you for joining us today as we discuss practical ways to leverage social media posts and videos to support students’ emotional and academic development. My name is Jamie Nunez, and I’m the Western Regional Manager at Common Sense. Today, I’m joined by my colleague Sue Hotts, the Senior Program Manager at Common Sense.
Today’s topic is quite significant, as teens primarily receive their news from social media platforms, which often expose them to graphic content. While platforms like TikTok and Instagram strive to diversify content, many students report feelings of fear, anger, or depression due to what they encounter online. Research indicates an increase in what is termed “remote exposure to real violence,” which can lead to lingering effects such as grief, fear, and anxiety.
The key question we aim to address is how we can support students in thinking critically about the content they view and help them become resilient in the face of it. Sue, as a parent, how do your teenagers experience social media, and how do you educate them about its benefits and pitfalls?
It’s essential to engage students in conversations about their social media experiences. Using relevant videos or discussions can provide insights into their perspectives and help facilitate meaningful dialogue.
As educators, it’s crucial to incorporate core dispositions into teaching when addressing these issues. Even elementary school students may be exposed to content that is not developmentally appropriate.
We encourage educators to define key terms such as misinformation and disinformation for students. Understanding these concepts is vital as they navigate social media. Activities could include analyzing recent news or social media content to seek facts and evidence.
It’s also important to discuss why misinformation and disinformation occur and how they can be intentionally spread for profit or agenda-driven purposes. This understanding helps students critically evaluate the information they encounter.
Next, we recommend encouraging students to envision alternative actions they can take beyond consuming content. For example, they can explore ways to support causes they care about, such as the situation in Ukraine, by engaging with content that promotes positive action.
Finally, we emphasize the importance of taking action. Students often desire to make a difference, and it’s essential to guide them in ensuring their actions are grounded in reality and integrity.
In summary, our key takeaways are:
1. Acknowledge that students are exposed to news depicting conflict, which may affect their focus in the classroom.
2. Teach foundational media literacy skills, including understanding misinformation and disinformation.
3. Encourage diversifying news sources to gain a well-rounded perspective.
Thank you for your participation today. If you would like a certificate for attending or wish to provide feedback, please fill out the form in the description below.
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This version maintains the essence of the discussion while presenting it in a more formal and concise manner.
Critical Thinking – The objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgment. – In social studies, critical thinking is essential for evaluating historical events and understanding their impact on modern society.
Social Media – Websites and applications that enable users to create and share content or to participate in social networking. – Social media platforms can be powerful tools for raising awareness about social issues, but they also require critical thinking to navigate effectively.
Misinformation – False or inaccurate information, especially that which is spread unintentionally. – Students must learn to identify misinformation in news articles to develop a well-informed perspective on current events.
Disinformation – Deliberately misleading or biased information, manipulated narrative or facts, or propaganda. – Understanding the difference between misinformation and disinformation is crucial for media literacy in today’s digital age.
Resilience – The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness. – Resilience is a key trait for students to develop as they encounter challenges in their academic and professional lives.
Education – The process of receiving or giving systematic instruction, especially at a school or university. – Education plays a vital role in equipping students with the skills needed for critical thinking and informed decision-making.
Students – Individuals who are studying at a school or college. – Students are encouraged to engage in discussions that challenge their perspectives and enhance their critical thinking abilities.
Perspectives – A particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view. – Considering multiple perspectives is essential for developing a comprehensive understanding of complex social issues.
Media Literacy – The ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and create media in a variety of forms. – Media literacy empowers individuals to critically assess the information they consume and share on social media.
Action – The fact or process of doing something, typically to achieve an aim. – Taking informed action based on critical analysis is a fundamental aspect of responsible citizenship in a democratic society.
