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Building on the Bring Your Own Device Revolution
Principal Speaks Out Against Banning Social Media
on October 4, 2010
Policy & Technology
Comment
I think that they should not ban all social media networks. No matter if they block facebook, myspace, or any blogs, rumors will still spread. Cell phone...
I think that they should not ban all social media networks. No matter if they block facebook, myspace, or any blogs, rumors will still spread. Cell phone banning in school could be helpful because students can text their friends whenever, but even if it is blocked, kids have a way of finding out about things. Blocking social media's will just make it an inconvience, but it will not stop the whole school from knowing a rumor.
on Oct 5, 2010
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This year, school districts across the country have grappled with cyberbullying and social media in school.
These policy discussions stepped up a notch earlier this year after high school student Phoebe Prince hung herself outside her Massachusetts home. She had been bullied both online and in person.
In response, one principal asked parents to ban social networking. And school districts across the country have reconsidered their policies on cell phone use and cyberbullying.
In the latest of a string of deaths related to cyberbullying and social media this year, a Rutgers University freshman committed suicide by jumping off a bridge on Sept. 22. His roommate and another student recorded a sexual encounter between Tyler Clementi and another male, and then streamed it online.
But rather than banning the tools students like these use to bully others, educators should deal with their behavior. That's the message that Dave Meister delivered on the Connected Principals blog today.
Meister directs Illinois' first cooperative high school, Paris Cooperative High School, and said in the video that he's been dealing with several incidents of cyberbullying in his building in the last week. These incidents, along with the university student's death, have prompted the school to think about how to deal with students' behavior.
"The answer to ending bullying or misuse of social media is not to ban it ... what we need to do is talk about the behaviors that are unacceptable," he said in the video.
These problems are not new. They've been around in other forms with paper and pencils and pens, but we don't ban those tools, he says. So why would we ban cell phones?
As adults, he says, we must model the correct way to use tools such as cell phones to connect with the world and learn.
That's what one principal says about social media and cyberbullying. What do you have to say?
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http://www.convergemag.com/policy/Principal-Speaks-Out-Against-Banning-Social-Media.html
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Comments
on Oct 5, 2010
I think that they should not ban all social media networks. No matter if they block facebook, myspace, or any blogs, rumors will still spread. Cell phone banning in school could be helpful because students can text their friends whenever, but even if it is blocked, kids have a way of finding out about things. Blocking social media's will just make it an inconvience, but it will not stop the whole school from knowing a rumor.
on Oct 5, 2010
I disagree with the principal who wants to ban social media all together. Just because certain people are misusing social media, doesn't mean that everyone else is too. I think schools and parents need to take care of what children are doing on the internet. It is unfair to ban children from using social media because it can be helpful in learning and communicating.
on Oct 5, 2010
Hi, I am a student from Burlington High School in Burlington, Massachusetts. Dave Meister brings up a great point when he says, "The answer to ending bullying or misuse of social media is not to ban it ... what we need to do is talk about the behaviors that are unacceptable". I believe that is not necessary to ban the websites, because they can be used in many positive ways too. People just need to start growing up, or keep a close watch on the bullying, and do something about it before it is too late.
on Oct 5, 2010
I don't think banning social media is the best solution. People just need to watch what they say online to prevent crazy problems from happening. When people get in trouble online, it is mainly from the mean things or inappropriate things they say online. I agree. The best solution is to talk about acceptable behaviors rather than banning all social media in general.
on Oct 5, 2010
I think this article hits it right on the head. The events that have been taking place due to cyber bullying are horrible! However, this should not mean everyone should stop using helpful tools that people are using inappropriately. This means people should take taking action in improving the system of bullying, whether it is on the computer or in person.
on Oct 5, 2010
I couldn't agree more. The tools are not the issue. It is the behaviour that is the issue. Could you imagine if we took away paper and pencils from students who used to write notes to bully others? What would we have used then?
on Oct 5, 2010
i am a high school student and my school is doing something similar and i think is very intresting about how a principal would be ok with students using cell phones and other technolgy in school
on Oct 5, 2010
I think banning social media is not gonna solve this problem. This is the tecnology that is gonna happen sooner or later i think schools should have courses that orient students how to use the web im a high school student and im taking it a web 2.0 class that is helping me a lot.
on Oct 5, 2010
I definitely think that it is not the social network's fault and that there is nothing wrong with it. the only thing wrong is the horrible ways some people are using it. It is these people's behaviors and actions online that need to be fixed, not the network. I think that these behaviors and people need to be dealt with quickly or else it is just going to get worse.
on Oct 5, 2010
I agree with principal Dave Meister about teaching kids the right behavior instead of taking away things students can use to bully people. The bullying problem will still be around even if people take away the social media network. In order for the bullying to stop, people need to change, not the devices used to bully.
on Oct 5, 2010
I'm a high school student and think that bullying is a big issue. Cyberbullying is the most common bullying for kids our age. I think banning social networking sites such as facebook and myspace would be a good solution to the problem but everyone love facebook and it can be a good connecting site if used properly. I think a better solution would be for teachers and other students should watch out carefully for bullying they know going on and report it. What happened to Phoebe Prince shouldn't happen to anyone. No one should feel the need to kill themselves for feeling hated. I would allow social networking sites but educate students on bullying and make sure they're using them for appropriate reasons.
on Oct 5, 2010
Just because students are cyberbullying, I don't think it i right to ban social networking. Students have to learn what to say and post online because everyone can see it. Using social networking is a privilege.
on Oct 5, 2010
banning social media networks will not help with the spread of rumors at all. kids nowadays have enough knowledge to find other ways to tell other people anything. the kids who use these networks correctly shouldn't get banned just because other kids are using them for other reasons. you cant ban something from 300 students just because one kid messed up.
on Oct 5, 2010
i feel like he is right and everything about what he said is true. most kids use it to bully other kids/students. this is not what the computer was made for.
on Oct 5, 2010
I think it's nice to know that somebody is doing what they can to help the cyberbullying problem. And i agree that we shouldn't just ban these communication tools but maybe control what we say while using them?
on Oct 5, 2010
i think that banning social media is a bad idea and will start more problems than before. We students are very dependable on technology because its everywhere and stopping social media wont do a thing. In fact it will further influence people to use social media when told not to in a way.
on Oct 5, 2010
I disagree with the statement we should ban social media and cell phones -- those are like kids life lines to all of there other friends not just ways that 1 kid can bully another.
on Oct 5, 2010
I disagree because schools should not ban social media, and social networking. that is what teenagers use to live. If the students could control their behavior it would not be a problem.
on Oct 5, 2010
This is a great way to communicate the need to use technology tools appropriately. When used inappropriately, such as to bully another individual or when making a threat, the local law enforcement agencies need to become involved and consequences need to be issued. This does not mean to ban the equipment. When used in a correct manner the possibilities are endless.....
on Oct 13, 2010
Since the traditional solutions to discipline problems are generally no longer politically acceptable and since parents are often falling down on the job of requiring their children to have acceptable public conduct (often defending the misconduct) the solution that will need to be used is to go through the courts. A permanent restraining order against the bully enjoining them from communicating with or about or coming within 5 miles of where the victim lives, works or goes to school should fill the bill. This will be very inconvenient for bullies who will then need to move their residence and change schools, etc. However it will adequately address the issue of violence resulting from bullying. (Violating a restraining order is generally considered contempt of court. In Texas that will get a $100 fine and 3 days in jail for each offense. Other states respond similarly.) Serious problem behavior must have consequences for the actor. If paddling, expulsion, paddling by parents, etc. are out then the courts are a valid solution! (Naturally, the local school is under no obligation to provide transportation beyond the local school. -- That would be a parent responsibility.)
Frankly the issue is NOT the technology. It IS misbehavior. (BTW I run DAEP classes.)
on Oct 14, 2010
I completely agree that banning social media is not the answer. Modeling effective use of social media to enhance pedagogical practices, support curriculum goals, and engage learners is what we need to see more of in our K-12 schools. Now here's the challenge: how do you prepare teachers, many of which who don't model effective use of any instructional technology to begin with nor understand what technology integration is, to model this use of social media yet connect to the curriculum? Just a thought.
