October 10, 2018
Remember: The Children Are Watching
(An update of the 2016 version on the occasion of Digital Citizenship Week, Oct. 15-19)
Once upon a time, social media was a means of keeping up with friends. Lately, it’s a way to announce who we’re siding with, or an opportunity to throw out unsubstantiated facts or accusations. Once it was a source of entertainment; now it’s a primary source for news on all topics. The season of fall, marked by the resumption of school activities, is the perfect time for a reminder of what makes sense all year long: Please read and think about the following points the next time you decide to post on social media. Don’t be “that person” who shares without reason, without basis, and without care.
Remember: You’re setting an example
The age-old axiom of “children become what they see” is more applicable today than ever. Every single time you use social media to share your opinion, you’re sending your child a message about the kind of person you expect he or she to be. Many of us have seen and unfortunately have been the target of absolutely vicious personal attacks on social media. The children are watching.
Remember: There is a fine line between venting and being toxic
As citizens, our community members absolutely have the right to make public comments about what is going on nationally and locally. This includes the right to comment upon our school systems. I would never want to suppress that right or prevent the free exchange of ideas. That would violate our American ideals and run contrary to what we teach our students. Yet I would like to remind our community that there is a fine line between appropriately and responsibly sharing a frustration and/or using a situation to unload on someone or something. The children are watching.
Remember: Don’t trade in rumor/half-truths/lies
Someone wise once stated: “A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on.” It’s not just a clever saying — it’s a proven fact. It has happened time and time again on social media, and it’s no coincidence that something going “viral” shares the term with sickness. A lone person will post an inaccurate statement with nothing to back it up, other people will spread it via their accounts, and all of a sudden what was untrue has now become part of the public conversation. Before accepting anything as gospel, make sure what you’re passing on is true and accurate. If you start a post with “Not sure this is true, but …” or “Has anyone else heard …” backspace over that and instead comment on your latest vacation or family-pleasing dinner. You wouldn’t want your kids to be lazy about the facts, right? Sharing questionable material not only can damage an individual, it can also cause irreversible harm to the morale of a community. Who would want to be part of a community where there is such vile discourse? The children are watching.
Remember: Just because it is in print does not mean it is true
It is easy to write, print and publish just about anything these days, and sometimes readers fall into the trap of thinking clean, neat and slickly produced material must be believable. Don’t fall into that trap. Instead, take the time to look into the sources and facts that support what you are reading. Don’t assume that because something looks professionally produced means that it’s accurate. The children are watching.
Remember: Don’t be mean
Cruelty is the lowest form of behavior. We do not tolerate meanness from our students, and we wish it were not so prevalent on social media. Sometimes cruelty starts with the innocent intent of fun, but that often comes back to bite to the poster. Case in point: the newfound fame of Geoffrey Owens and his regretful tormenter Karma Lawrence. Our schools and communities are filled with hard-working, well-intentioned and dedicated public servants, and to that point, I ask that respect and courtesy guide our interactions. Threats and foul language have no place in our community. Of course, disagreements will occur from time to time. Having different viewpoints and working through them respectfully is a hallmark of our democracy. Remember that when you resort to attacking the messenger and not the message, you have already lost. The children are watching.
Remember: Stick with traditional communication channels
Over time, school districts have transitioned from traditional communication like printed newsletters to newer avenues including social media. The best source of accurate, authentic and factual information hasn’t changed: Get it straight from the horse’s mouth. This does not mean that a curious public should not ask for more information. It does mean that official communication channels remain the best way to learn about the goings-on in the school district.
Social media, in so many ways, has been a tremendous benefit to our community and is not going away. The Ramsey Public Schools have recognized this. In my time here, we have revised our curriculum to include Digital Citizenship, and we have expanded our Parent Academies to help our parents deal with these very complex issues. We must remember that any tool is only as effective as the way it is used. I ask our families and communities to use the megaphone of social media to lift up our schools and not to tear them down. We have an incredible community and school district. Let’s keep the positive momentum going.
