It’s been a while since I have attempted this blog thing, so bear with me as I navigate my way around this blogging world.

This weeks class and articles really opened up my mind to some self reflection and deeper thinking. Being my first class in my Master’s journey, I truly didn’t know what to expect and was quite nervous. However, after meeting everyone and sharing some ideas, I am enjoying that feeling of digging into my own ideas and thoughts and learning from others.

Thinking about my own digital footprint and my experience in the digital world, I like to think I am pretty ‘tech savvy’ but I have also been humbly reminded lately that that may not be the case. With SO many apps appearing constantly, how do you keep up? Students in my class often mention apps they use, and I have no idea what they are talking about! Facebook started up when I was in grade 9, and like my true Millennial self, I am still primarily a Facebook user. Anyone else still sticking to your comfort zone of what you first used? Maybe it’s time I break out of my shell and really give some of these newer apps a try… or is it worth it?

That brings me to thinking about my screen time. I track my screen time on my iPhone and I’m not going to lie… it’s disturbing how often I am on my phone. Doom scrolling. It’s a real thing. Scrolling for no real reason. Am I entertained? Sure maybe. Am I learning things? If I come across it. But am I actively going onto my apps for a real purpose such as checking in on a family member or a friend, or finding a new teaching idea or cooking recipe? Not really. It finally hit home when my 4 yr old said one day “mommy no more phone you play with me!”. He took my phone and shoved it into the couch so I couldn’t be on it. Talk about pulling at the heart strings, and cue major parent guilt. Is that how I want him to remember parts of his childhood? That mommy and daddy were always on their phones?

A few of the articles read this week touched on this and really resonated with me, specifically thinking of parents posting pictures of their children. I am terribly guilty of this and after reading the perspective of Sonia Bokhari in the article “I’m 14 and I Quit Social Media”, I am questioning some of my own actions and what I have posted in the past. I feel there is still a divide amongst parents regarding posting their children’s pictures. What are your thoughts? Does your family have a stance on this? I’d love to hear how you are navigating this with parenting.

Last night in our class we discussed how often we – adults, teachers, parents, etc. – use the scare tactic for children on how to use the internet. I remember those talks so well. It also comes up often in my classroom (grade 3/4, so 8/9 year olds) who for many are just starting to have more “freedom” with their technology at home. It is a little worrisome hearing some of the things they are watching and doing on their devices at home. So if the scare tactic doesn’t work, how can we best support these kids to use the digital world as a tool that can help them be successful? How can we better understand what digital citizenship is, even for us adults? That is what I am really looking forward to.