Educators cannot use technology and social media to promote social justice.

In my opinion, this debate topic is similar to the idea of the panopticum because it emphasizes the power relationships between those in authority and those who are being controlled. The wealthy are those in positions of authority, on the other hand, the educators, who adhere to norms and regulations, are under control.

Not all regulations are written down; there are some unwritten societal norms that, if broken, can have a negative impact on a person’s career. A good example is when a teacher expresses their opinion about the social justice system in a way that certain parents or employers find objectionable, even though we all have freedom of speech.

As we all know, education plays a crucial role in advancing social justice because it equips people with the knowledge, skills, and morals they need to oppose injustice and fight for equality. By fostering a secure and welcoming learning environment, imparting critical thinking and analysis skills, and exposing students to a variety of viewpoints and experiences, educators play a significant role in aiding this learning process.

But can educators use technology and social media to promote social justice?

In the debate, both before and after the vote, I disagreed, and I’ll explain why below.

Fairness, equity, and opportunity for all societal members should be the aim of social justice. This includes making efforts to eliminate difficult laws and customs that support injustice and inequity. Social media has its limitations and possible threats, but it can be an effective instrument for advancing social justice, creating communities by increasing awareness of problems, and giving people a place to express their ideas. Sometimes, bad stereotypes can be reinforced on social media, and they can also amplify hate speech and false information. Because of this, it’s critical to use social media responsibly and to be mindful of how it might affect social justice movements.

Who should promote social justice?

Fostering social justice is a shared obligation that should engage everyone, not just educators expressing their opinions on social media by using technology. This includes people, organizations, and governments. Promoting social justice in the direction of a more equitable and just society can be done by anyone who acknowledges the presence of social inequality and injustice and is dedicated to establishing such a society.

Respecting other points of view and fostering respectful conversation is part of an educator’s most important responsibilities, I loved Ramsel’s point of view on ‘NEUTRALITY’ during her debate. Educators must be aware of their role in advancing social justice and actively seek to build a more equitable and just society by being neutral.

On the other hand, it can be contentious and polarizing when an educator shares their opinion on social media. On social media, expressing one’s opinions about social justice problems could lead to conflict or backlash from parents, coworkers, community members, or school administrators. Conflict could result from this, which could harm the teacher’s professional standing.

In the end, there are advantages and disadvantages to sharing one’s perspectives on social justice as an educator. Depending on how the views are expressed and perceived by others, sharing social justice opinions on social media could potentially have detrimental effects on educators. Moreover, misinformation and fake news can quickly spread on social media. Teachers who express their opinions about social justice on social media may unintentionally aid in the spread of false information, which can undermine the validity of the information presented. Teachers face the danger of losing their neutrality in the classroom if they express their social justice ideals on social media.

Educators should be acquainted with the social media norms and rules of their school system and take into account how their opinions can affect their standing in their career. By designing inclusive classrooms that accept and celebrate diversity, educators may contribute to the development of a just and equitable society.

Although social media has the potential to be a tremendous instrument for activism and change, it can also be polarizing and damaging.