1. S. Hamilton
RATIONALE NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION
RATIONALE
The internet has brought the world into our homes and provides us with an array of resources of information
and the opportunity to meet and communicate with people around the world. Like every aspect of society,
the internet has its share of dangers and risks. Many schools block access to social networking sites within
their walls and so school officials must confront the uncertainties and questions surrounding privacy issues,
proper management, and cyber security when they open their doors to social-networking sites (Davis, 2010).
Social networking on the internet allows individual users to meet and connect with other users from around
the world. Recently there has been a dramatic increase in their popularity with children due to the
accessibility in which to share videos, photos and chat in real time. As reported by Gross (2009), 48 percent
of teens visit social networking web sites daily.
In a study conducted by Bernard (2007), it was found that a mere 34% of participants agreed that teachers
and schools should consistently educate students about safe and appropriate internet practice. The study
concluded that some educators may be ignoring the educational potential of social networking sites.
As the use of the internet increases for children in classrooms today, it is becoming essential that teachers
are educating their students on safe use of the internet, and in particular, social networking sites. This is
supported by Cassel (2007) who advocates that while safety policies remain important, so does teaching
students about online safety and responsible online expression. Cassel (2007) also claims that “students may
learn these lessons better while they’re actually using social networking tools” (para 5). In the age of social
networking sites, it's easy for people to create personas and identities and even impersonate others and it is
risks such as these that students need to be made aware of.
As one teacher said in a recent New York Times article, “When all your students have the internet in their
pocket, it definitely changes the way you teach” (Brustein, 2010, para 2). Technology is a wonderful tool
that our children should benefit from however, the literature also strongly advocates for clear and strict
boundaries when it comes to the use of social networking.
The problem with these social networking sites is that the teens using them are very naive. Whilst parents
should be watching their children and guiding them to safe practice, educators cannot assume that this is
happening in every child’s home. What is important is to educate and advise children that social networking
is a powerful tool when used in the right way, however commonsense and awareness needs to be applied
(Davis, 2010).
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2. S. Hamilton
RATIONALE NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION
Some opponents of social networking say that the way to protect yourself is to avoid the sites all together
(Gustafson, 2011). In comparison, social media experts say that's not realistic, arguing that sites like
Facebook and Twitter are good tools of our modern society; “you just have to think before you hit enter, and
think before you hit send” (Gustafson, 2011, para 12).
In contrast to this view, Davis (2010) refers specifically to the use of Facebook for educational purposes and
claims that this particular social networking is too much of an intrusion into students' personal and social
lives for educators to be using it as an educational method. Alternatively, Davis (2010) suggests that private
wikis, blogs, or other social-networking tools designed for school use can often be more beneficial. For
example, the use of the tool VoiceThread is a free service which allows users to leave voice comments about
pictures or video, and enables users to draw on the screen as they comment (Davis, 2010).
In light of these findings, experts are recommending that school districts may want to explore ways in which
they could use social networking for educational purposes. Blogging is another example of social
networking, however in a more controlled environment. McGuire, (2008) highlights the benefits of blogging
for students; blogging encourages students to take pride in their writing as they have the opportunity to
engage with an authentic audience to express ideas and opinions, improve their vocabulary and develop their
communication skills (McGuire, 2008, para 2).
In order for this education of safe social networking practices to be effective, a relationship between all
stakeholders involved is essential. That being between the student, teacher and parent. As cited in Tranter
(2011), educational lecturer, Mockler agrees that teachers can also help educate parents. Mockler states;
"communication is the big thing ... if (parents) have got questions and queries to go to the classroom teacher
(or) guidance co-ordinator... It's a student, teacher, parent partnership (Tranter, 2011, para 13).
In conclusion, whilst it is evident that there are clear educational values for the use of social networking sites
in schools, the risks and dangers must also be highlighted to students to ensure correct and safe practice.
Davis (2010) maintains this idea and states "if you don't take that golden opportunity to teach students about
the responsibility of using these things, you lose a teachable moment... if schools block them; they're
preventing students from learning the skills they need to know” (p 6).
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3. S. Hamilton
RATIONALE NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION
REFERENCES
Bernard, S. (2007). The edutopia poll. Retrieved 21st February, 2011 from
http://www.edutopia.org/should-schools-regulate-student-use-online-social-networks
Brustein, J. (2010). From some teachers; excitement about classroom tech. Retrieved 21st February, 2011
from
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/21/from-some-teachers-excitement-about-classroom-tech/
Cassel, D. (2007). Schoolboards; net dangers over-rated: bring social networks to school. Retrieved 17th
February, 2011 from
http://tech.blorge.com/Structure:%20/2007/08/07/schoolboards-net-dangers-over-rated-bring-social-
networks-to-school/
Davis, M. R. (2010). Social Networking Goes to School. Education Digest: Essential Readings Condensed
for Quick Review, 76(3), 14-19. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.
Gross, D. (2009). Social networking and kids: how young is too young?. Retrieved 19th February, 2011 from
http://articles.cnn.com/2009-11-02/tech/kids.social.networks_1_social-networking-sites-social-
networking-facebook?_s=PM:TECH
Gustafson, K. G. (2011). Looks like you, but looks can be deceiving. Retrieved 17th February, 2011 from
http://www.timesunion.com/living/article/Looks-like-you-but-looks-can-be-deceiving-1012103.php
McGuire, S. (2008). Benefits of Blogging. Retrieved 19th February, 2011 from
http://www.thereadingworkshop.com/2008/12/benefits-of-blogging.html
Tranter, C. (2011). Generation google goes to school. Retrieved 21st February, 2011 from
http://www.couriermail.com.au/ipad/generation-google-goes-to-school/story-fn6ck8la-
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