Social media is not only to scroll through the reels, hashtags, change the profile pictures, trending social issues that have come for some time. But the question is whether it is worthy. So, I am saying yes. Because social media is a powerful and strong tool for awareness and transformation. It is an educator’s duty and responsibility to teach students to become good and responsible social media users. But firstly, it is important educators to be understand that social media gives an opportunity to talk about the social movements just like #Black Lives Matter and Me Too, which are a perfect and powerful examples of social activism. These real life incidents of racism and gender and sexual harassment are becoming hot topics all around the world due to social media. These movements are not only a hashtag trend; they are a wakeup call and a break in silence against social injustice.
Talk about the sensitive issues on online platforms; I think it is necessary and a responsibility as a citizen. If we did not speak for our rights, who would come to talk and fight for us? When we speak, it spreads awareness and inspires people to come forward to change this world.
It can’t be ignored that today students’ are living in a digital era. Classrooms are no longer only learning places where only math, science, and history are taught. Now, it’s turned into a path of connecting the world and gathering and understanding the social happenings. Educators can teach the students not just to be a learner but to make a thoughtful, responsible, and active citizen in both his personal and social media life.
Thank you for your reflection on this topic. I can see passion behind your words. I agree, we need to use our voices to speak out about what is wrong, and the injustices that are being suffered. My concern with this is that we also need to act on our words. Words can be motivating, piercing, or devastating -but words without action allow the oppressor the advantage. I agree with you that teachers need to model good digital citizenship, but to also remind them that their voice and actions extend passed the keyboard of their computers and screen of their phones. Thank you for the inspiration!