Exploring the Ethical Maze of AI and Social Media in Education: Prepping for Tomorrow’s Insights

Tomorrow, we’re set to dive into some thought-provoking discussions with Jennifer Casa-Todd, a digital media expert and author, and Taylor Zerr, who will be sharing insights on social media, AI, and digital ethics in education. As technology becomes more embedded in the classroom, these topics have never been more relevant.

Before we meet our speakers, let’s explore some of the key content and questions around AI, social media, and the ethical considerations they bring into education.

The Ethical Dilemma of AI: Friend, Foe, or Something In-Between?

Marzia A. Coltri’s article, “The Ethical Dilemma with OpenAI ChatGPT: Is it Right or Wrong to Prohibit it?” gives us a deep dive into the complex ethical landscape of using AI tools like ChatGPT in education. On the one hand, AI can be an invaluable asset. It offers personalized learning support, helps non-native speakers, and provides easy access to knowledge. But as Coltri highlights, AI also brings some major challenges.

These challenges include concerns over critical thinking, privacy, and dependency on AI for learning. The article explores different ethical perspectives—such as utilitarianism, which weighs the risks and benefits of AI, and deontological ethics, which emphasizes moral responsibility. Coltri points out that AI can be helpful, but it might also lead to a depersonalized educational experience, where students rely on quick AI answers rather than engaging deeply with material.

Coltri’s article is a reminder that while AI is powerful, it requires a balanced and thoughtful approach.

Questions for Taylor and Jennifer:

• Taylor, based on your understanding, what are the most important ethical guidelines educators should follow when using AI tools like ChatGPT in the classroom?
• Jennifer, how can we encourage students to rely on their own critical thinking instead of defaulting to AI-generated answers?

Social Media: A Tool for Connection or a Source of Stress?

Social media has become a natural part of students’ lives, and Jennifer Casa-Todd’s work focuses on both the positive and negative impacts it can have. Platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok are not just distractions; they shape students’ identities, values, and views of the world. Casa-Todd’s research emphasizes the importance of digital citizenship and teaching students to approach social media as responsible, respectful contributors—not just passive consumers.

But social media isn’t all sunshine and Instagram filters. Casa-Todd highlights that social media can lead to stress, misinformation, and even issues like comparison and self-esteem. Students need guidance to understand both the potential and the pitfalls of these platforms. Social media literacy isn’t just about using the tools—it’s about knowing when and why to use them and developing a critical eye for the content they consume.

Questions for Jennifer and Taylor:

• Jennifer, what practical strategies do you recommend for helping students develop digital citizenship skills in a way that feels natural and engaging?
• Taylor, do you think there are specific age groups that are more vulnerable to social media’s negative effects? If so, how can we best support them?

Ethical AI and Social Media Use: Building a Responsible Digital Culture

As we blend AI and social media into our classrooms, the need for an ethical approach is more important than ever. Coltri’s article underscores the importance of ethical guidelines and clear boundaries, while Casa-Todd’s work highlights the need for students to develop digital literacy skills that allow them to interact responsibly with both AI and social media.

Here are a few principles to keep in mind as we build toward a balanced digital culture in our schools:

1. Use AI as a Learning Aid, Not a Replacement
   Coltri’s article reminds us that AI can be a helpful tool, but it should be used to supplement learning, not replace it. Educators can encourage students to use AI thoughtfully, seeing it as a resource rather than the main source of information.

2. Teach Digital Citizenship as an Essential Skill
   Casa-Todd’s research emphasizes that social media literacy should be woven into the curriculum. Rather than simply discouraging social media use, educators can guide students to engage responsibly, encouraging them to think critically about the content they create and consume.

3. Encourage Critical Thinking and Open Dialogue
   Coltri draws on Socratic principles, suggesting that encouraging students to question, debate, and discuss technology’s role in their lives can foster a more thoughtful digital experience. Casa-Todd’s focus on respectful and ethical engagement online aligns perfectly with this approach, emphasizing that students should learn to think before they click.

Additional Questions for Discussion:

• Taylor, how can we make AI tools like ChatGPT accessible without making students overly reliant on them?
• Jennifer, how can we encourage students to question the content they see on social media and avoid falling into echo chambers?

Looking Forward: Preparing for Tomorrow’s Insights

As we prepare to hear from Jennifer Casa-Todd and Taylor Zerr, it’s clear that the intersection of technology, ethics, and education is full of both opportunities and challenges. AI and social media are here to stay, but by guiding students to use these tools responsibly, we can help them develop a thoughtful, ethical, and balanced approach to the digital world.

Tomorrow, we’ll get a chance to dig deeper into these issues and explore ways to make our classrooms spaces where students not only learn with technology but learn about technology in ways that support critical thinking, ethical behaviour, and personal growth. Let’s keep these questions in mind as we prepare for an exciting and insightful discussion!

AI usage for this blog post: I used ChatGPT to summarize the article sent by Taylor to read for this week. After watching Taylor’s videos, I inputted my written notes from the video as well. I did use ChatGPT to summarize the website for Jennifer as well, I just made sure to read over the resulting text to make sure it aligned with my personal views on this topic. I also used ChatGPT to make headings and organize my material this week. The photos and videos were all supplemental material that I seeked out to make my blog post stronger.