THE RIGHT TO EXPRESS ONE’S VIEWS
The author is Teacher
MARIA IMMACULADA P. PEREZ
The United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of Children upholds the child’s right to information, expression and participation, specifying the freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, in all forms of media of the child’s choice.
As educators, we should be responsible in assuring that our students should be capable of forming their own views — and they have the right to express these views.
However, there should be limitations in expressing these views, especially on social media. Back then, GMA-7 had a campaign for the responsible use of social media Think before you click - which should be as effective then as it is now.
Media is a powerful tool for children to get entertained and acquire knowledge and information. It is also an effective avenue for children to express their ideas and opi ni ons.
A 2009 study among Filipino youth reveal that 26% of Filipino kids go on line everyday and 76% once a week, 50% of Filipino kids go online for their homework, 45% kids visit social networking sites.
Students go online for various reasons, and they are exposed to different cultures and new trends that may affect their present point of view.
Both parents and teachers should make sure that the youth are introduced to the safe use of social media. Their use of social networking sites is something thay cannot be avoided anymore, at this present time.
We should all recognize our critical role in protecting children against the negative effects of social media through education.
The Department of Education in the past had developed plans or a framework as basis for curriculum development, capability building, policy formulation, advocacy and evaluation; formulate policies/standards/guidelines in the use of social media in public schools.
Let us support the department’s efforts in protecting the students from social media abuse. At the same time, let us all be responsible adults and never hesitate in teaching the youth the do’s and dont’s of being digital citizens.
— oOo—
I at Eastern Porac National High School