Practical Connections

It’s true that various online factors highly influence youngster’s mental health, including their surrounding support network, online bullying and their societal appraisal. As a professional educator, I feel this has also impacted me profoundly regarding my future career. I believe I should pass more information to students to ensure they are better informed of social media effects.

   To prevent children from developing mental health problems, educators should play a role in children's middle school years. This involves guiding children regarding correct social media, on social media safety, privacy, security and digital literacy should be incorporated into the curriculum. Much of what young people (and adults) need to know about protecting themselves online can be summarized in four words: “Think before you post” (Magid, D, & Gallagher, 2015, para.23). Most children don’t consider the use of appropriate literacy before posting which results in their receipt of negative comments from other netizens. This has an adverse impact on children. Educators should increase children’s awareness of privacy protection on social media to prevent hackers from gaining their information online. Inclusion in the curriculum ensures early awareness of social media and its effect. Educators should be good listeners and discuss their student’s social media experiences. Also in providing extra support to students facing difficulties like cyberbullying and providing professional feedback to students about social comparison online.

   Lastly, online communication allows students and parents to ask questions and solve problems, while providing many opportunities for parents/students and educators to learn through communication and interaction ( Kear, 2011, p24-25). Therefore, as an educator in my future career, I will provide students with sufficient support, enhance their knowledge and awareness of social media and talk to parents and students to help them understand how to use social media more efficiently to help resolve their issues.