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Social media is a part of today's teenagers' lives. Social media is an integral part of every day life. Although teens may be quite adept at using social media, it can prove to be dangerous if they don't know how to properly use it.
Parents and educators have a responsibility to teach today's teens how to use social media in a healthy, productive and professional manner. Teens who aren't proficient in certain platforms could be victim to identity theft and cyberbullying, or have problems when applying for jobs.
Let's look at how edtech could encourage teens to use social media professionally and healthily. We also discuss how to help your teenagers learn how to properly use social media.
The need for tech-savvy teens
It is estimated that 46% of teens use social media almost daily by 2022. Snapchat, Instagram and TikTok are the most popular platforms among teens. However, most teens also have accounts on Facebook.
Today's teens are more familiar with smartphones and social media than ever before, which gives them an advantage in learning how to adapt to new technology and grow. They are also the first generation to experience all the benefits of social media usage since childhood.
- Keep in touch with family and friends
- Learn about current events
- Accessing health information
- Creative ideas and projects shared
- Meet new people with similar interests
However, social media is "the norm", so teenagers might not be aware of common issues such as privacy and safety concerns and mental health threats.
This generation will be the leader in tech innovation and major changes to social media platforms. The workplace is in dire need of tech-savvy workers. It's important for teenagers to understand that the digital footprints they leave behind today can be found many years later when they start their careers.
K-12 students can use Edtech to help them stay safe, savvy and up-to-date with current technology trends. Teachers who integrate new technologies into the classroom and parents who encourage education tech at home make it more likely that students will be able to use technology in safe and efficient ways. This is a far better approach than the "learn as you go" method so many teens and children have grown up with.
You can encourage your teenagers to use social media and help them avoid the pitfalls of the future, whether you are a parent or educator.
How to educate teens using social media
Incorporating social media into lesson plans is a great way to teach teens how to use it properly. Teaching social media skills to your students can help you keep their attention, especially if it's something you can do.
Because more jobs are dependent on social media, you can show your students best practices for content creation, how develop a marketing strategy and how to work together to share assets.
Most teens and kids follow at least one social media content creator. It will resonate with teens if they have the chance to "be" one to learn a lesson. You can also sneak in some useful information like how to collect data and how to collaborate and the importance creating relevant content.
Platforms such as Adobe Spark, Canva and Storybird can be extremely helpful for anyone who is interested in content creation. They're also great apps for students.
These lessons can be transferred into other subjects or projects. This is one example of how social media can be integrated into school life. Use platforms and strategies they are familiar with to inspire students.
Teach Teens How to Stay Safe
It is a good idea to teach teens how social media can be used for their future endeavors and now. But, it is important to teach teens how to be safe on all platforms. Here are some safety tips:
- Don't give out information to strangers
- How to set privacy settings
- Creating strong passwords
- Be aware of fake news
- Secure sites
These tips can be made easier by edtech tools. Securly is a cloud-based safety tool that allows students to filter web content. It's one of the best. This software allows students to avoid harmful web content. It monitors the sites visited and keystrokes so that parents and teachers can be informed of inappropriate content or cyberbullying.
You can help your teen learn the best social media strategies to take with them to college as they approach graduation. Both you and your teen can find the transition to college a bit stressful. It can be a comfort to know that they are familiar with how to stay safe online. This can help them find new friends on campus.
To promote mindfulness and meditation, you can encourage students to use edtech resources such as Headspace. Guided meditation can be a great way to reduce stress and encourage students to stay present in the moment, instead of worrying about the future. Students can use social media to meet new roommates or check out campus activities.
Although teens today are well-versed in social media and can use many platforms efficiently, they still have a lot to learn about edtech. Use what you know to educate your teens about safety and how to maintain a digital footprint.
Emerging Education Technology's first article was How EdTech can Encourage Teens to Use Social Media in a Healthy and Professional Way.
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By: Luke Smith
Title: How EdTech Can Encourage Healthy and Professional Social Media Use in Teens
Sourced From: www.emergingedtech.com/2022/11/edtech-can-encourage-healthy-professional-social-media-use/
Published Date: Mon, 28 Nov 2022 15:49:38 +0000
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