Preparing children for digital landscape

RECENTLY I attended a presentation on social media: the legal, disciplinary, and reputational risks of social media. The presentation by Emma Sadleir, a renowned social medial law expert and co-author of Don’t Film Yourself Having Sex, covered aspects such as defamation, misinformation, privacy, hate speech and other aspects for the age of social media.

Sadleir raised some thoughtprovoking and hair-raising issues surrounding the social media landscape. Between other important points Sadleir spoke about the increase in cyberbullying, selfies, sexting, nude photos, revenge porn, sextortion, blackmail, digital shadow and other crazes that could affect both adults and children online. Her statement that “digital content is dangerous content” is apt in this world of fake and instant news.

The internet, digital media and, by extension, social media have become the main mechanisms of communication and it can be correctly said that we are addicted to social media. Social networks are now so intensely and broadly rooted in our lives that it feels ridiculous to think of separating ourselves from it.

Social media, if used correctly, can be an amazing tool for all. Hence, it is important to teach and to talk to students and children about how to be savvy when using social media. Instead of worrying about the harmful influence of family, friends and neighbours, we need to empower children with information about productive online practice as they navigate the digital landscape.