Is Facebook the new Bathroom Wall?

In light of the recent events surrounding a hallmark case involving teenage sexting and cyber bullying, I feel it pertinent to focus this blog on addressing a serious question: Is Facebook the new bathroom wall?

If so, then we have a lot to think about when it comes to how we decide to educate our youth on the appropriate and responsible use of social media and mobile devices. It is my humble opinion that the avoidance rule and scare tactics commonly used in the past are not the answer. This incident, ultimately ending with a teen being charged with distribution of child pornography for posting an intimate photo of another teen on Facebook, has rattled many of us in the education system and perhaps forced us re-evaluate some of our approaches to media education.

We can all remember a time when we too were in the passionate throes of youth, seemingly without consequence or repercussion. Love triangles, gossip, drama and bullying were present, as they always are, but never seemed to go past the bathroom wall or hallway. I remember stumbling upon a note written by a girl, who I thought was my friend, and discovering that her and some others were secretly mocking me. This was devastating. Now, the notes that were being passed in the good ol’ days are taking the form of text messages, and the “bathroom wall” is now the wall on Facebook. So the question remains: How have we adapted our methods in light of these advances in technology and youth communication?

What was once a nearly invisible offence, lurking in the background of every elementary, middle and high school, is now an act that has become extremely visible, not to mention permanent. Unfortunately, the word “permanent” is not a concept that many adolescents can easily grasp. Combined with the fact that they are biologically inclined towards risk-taking behavior and lacking in empathy, logic and reasoning skills, teenagers can seem like ticking time bombs. So what do we do? Do we take away the devices? Do we ban Facebook in schools?

I believe that there are other solutions out there, even if I am not 100% certain what they are. Currently, there seems to be a vacuum where digital education should be – let’s fill it with positivity and opportunity. As I have stated in past blog posts, I think that we should start with holistic, integrated and vigorous education in social media use and the responsibility of digital citizenship. I think that we should be instructing our youth in ways they can empower themselves by building positive online brands. I also think that we need to recognize that incidents such as the one mentioned above will continue to happen and it is up to us to find new and appropriate ways of dealing with them. Mobile technology has incredible connective and collaborative potential with in new and exciting implications for education – we just need to teach it.