Social Media is Cool

95% of teens say they have access to a

smartphone and 88% report having access to a
computer. Almost half of teens say they are online
almost constantly. If we aren’t teaching kids about
the internet, or the websites and apps they are using
online such as Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and
Snapchat, then who is going to?
Students are reporting a mostly positive
view of social media for its ability to connect them
to their friends and stay up to date on current issues
and information, how can we foster this in the
classroom? (Anderson & Jiang, 2018)

As a 21st Century educator, Social Media is a

critical tool to tap into for the use of students. Teaching
standards from a variety of institutions reflect this, the
International Society for Technology in Education
(ISTE) in particular. ISTE standards outline in seven
standards the importance of technology for students.
Standard two depicts students as digital citizens. It is
crucial that students can learn skills to be safe, legal and
ethical when online. (ISTE, 2018)

In my classroom, students will be encouraged to

incorporate social media within their projects. I work to
stay current and informed in social media tools to better
prepare my students for their safety while using these
tools. Health is a subject that focuses on the wellbeing of
the student as a whole, typically in physical, mental,
emotional, and academic regards. My classroom works to
further that sentiment to include the digital wellbeing of
my students.

References

Anderson, M, & Jiang, J. (2018, May 31). Teens, social media & technology 2018. ​Pew
Research Center. ​Retrieved from
http://www.pewinternet.org/2018/05/31/teens-social-media-technology-2018/
International Society for Technology in Education. (2018). ISTE standards for students. ​ISTE.
Retrieved from https://www.iste.org/standards/for-students