The first video I ever saw on YouTube was Charlie the Unicorn in 2006. I had some friends who used YouTube around that time, but I didn’t spend much time on it. However, when I attended college between 2010-2012, YouTube became extremely popular, and I still quote many of those videos to this day…insert the bed intruder song… Now, I use YouTube to learn how to do something, follow along on people’s travel vlogs, or listen to classical music playlists to help keep me focused. I even use YouTube when I need assistance in making sense of things I’m learning in class. 

As a millennial, I have witnessed the beginning of many popular social media outlets and the everyday usage of the internet. There was a time when I could say that I was very tech-savvy. However, technology is changing so rapidly that I am no longer able to keep up. Most of what my students are talking about no longer makes any sense to me.

Watching An anthropological introduction to YouTube video reminded me of the ever-changing reality of technology, and when it is used innovatively, it can create new opportunities for our students. Technology and social media can work to link people together who may even be on opposite sides of the world. As Michael Wesch stated, “When media changes, human relationships change.” We can either let media drive us apart, or we can use it to bring people together. 

It is critical that we teach students about digital citizenship and how our actions online need to be safe and respectful. It would be completely out-of-touch to eliminate media from our classrooms or even try to limit it. Media use is a reality of our present and future. As educators, we need to stay on top of media and learn how to embrace and utilize it to our and our students’ benefit. 

Here’s a great website that talks more about Digital Citizenship and how we can teach our students to be responsible with technology. It’s not going away anytime soon, so we must equip our young people with the skills and know-how to navigate through tech.