EDUCATION
Surrey’s Premier Lifestyle Magazine
Staying safe in cyberspace
In a sign of the times, Michael Connolly, Headmaster of Cranmore School, poses a pertinent question: “Is social media toxic?”
The history of technology clearly indicates that when a new device or phenomenon appears it is a one-way process, we cannot turn the clock back. This is just as true for the mobile phone as an atomic bomb. The challenge, of course, is that we are always compelled to adapt and learn to live with any new technology, whatever rationale is presented for its merits.
When mobile phones first appeared they were horrendously expensive, unreliable and cumbersome but, nevertheless, they served as a status symbol in some quarters. Many of us will recall Del Boy from Only Fools and Horses using his phone, which was the size of a brick, to secure the latest dodgy deal. In time, like most gadgets, mobile phones became smaller, more reliable and, crucially, more affordable to become attainable for almost everyone.
The key selling point of the mobile phone is the convenience of being able to communicate regularly or simply stay in touch with friends and family from any location, day or night. Is this really a good thing? Is it really necessary? How many of us have been plagued by a noisy train carriage from Waterloo to Guildford?
Perhaps there was a golden age when commuters would tackle The Times’ crossword, or perhaps just flick through the Evening Standard, all in relative silence. Now we have the incessant chatter as fellow passengers compete with each other as they hold lengthy, banal conversations by mobile phone as a means of breaking the ‘boredom’ of a regular commute.
Whilst this can be irritating, the more sinister aspect is that many employers expect their workforce to be at the end of a phone 24-7 and to respond to e-mails too. It has been well reported that this trend has had a significant effect in increasing stress levels to the detriment of an individual’s wellbeing and productivity.
We have supposedly progressed from phones being used for conversations and texts to being, in effect, mini-computers. This has added to the expectation and pressure so that some people cannot switch off from work. However, this is not all. In recent years there has been a rapid development in social media so that Facebook has new cousins such as Instagram and WhatsApp.
When mobile phones first appeared they were horrendously expensive, unreliable and cumbersome but, nevertheless, they served as a status symbol in some quarters. Many of us will recall Del Boy from Only Fools and Horses using his phone, which was the size of a brick, to secure the latest dodgy deal. In time, like most gadgets, mobile phones became smaller, more reliable and, crucially, more affordable to become attainable for almost everyone.
The key selling point of the mobile phone is the convenience of being able to communicate regularly or simply stay in touch with friends and family from any location, day or night. Is this really a good thing? Is it really necessary? How many of us have been plagued by a noisy train carriage from Waterloo to Guildford?
Perhaps there was a golden age when commuters would tackle The Times’ crossword, or perhaps just flick through the Evening Standard, all in relative silence. Now we have the incessant chatter as fellow passengers compete with each other as they hold lengthy, banal conversations by mobile phone as a means of breaking the ‘boredom’ of a regular commute.
Whilst this can be irritating, the more sinister aspect is that many employers expect their workforce to be at the end of a phone 24-7 and to respond to e-mails too. It has been well reported that this trend has had a significant effect in increasing stress levels to the detriment of an individual’s wellbeing and productivity.
We have supposedly progressed from phones being used for conversations and texts to being, in effect, mini-computers. This has added to the expectation and pressure so that some people cannot switch off from work. However, this is not all. In recent years there has been a rapid development in social media so that Facebook has new cousins such as Instagram and WhatsApp.
These social media platforms can offer tremendous benefits if used in the right way. Sadly, those who work in education are increasingly finding that they can be a burden on young people. The proliferation of sexting and cyber-bullying has made the journey through the teenage years additionally hazardous.
All young people make mistakes whilst growing up, but now there is the real threat that one poor decision will be immortalised in the ether which might be an impediment to job prospects or future relationships. It is certainly true that young teenagers are more daring in the messages and images they exchange than they could ever be in real life. Unfortunately, this is quickly becoming normalised and some adults are resigned to the fact that the genie is out of the bottle.
Can anything be done? Well, those working in schools must strive harder to educate their pupils to the inherent dangers that lurk within social media. In addition, good schools also recognise the importance of getting parents on board too. At Cranmore School we provide e-safety training for pupils from the age of four: it is never too young to teach them how to be responsible and safe with technology. We also run sessions for parents so that they have a greater insight into how their children might use social media and have the essential knowledge to keep their children safe.
As a species, we have evolved for some 200,000 years, and yet social media has been around for barely 20 years. It’s hardly surprising that this paradigm shift in the way many people communicate with each other might have profound consequences, yet to be determined.
School children have been born into a digital world and educators must do all they can to ensure social media becomes a force for good rather than something which blights the lives of our young. It has often been
said that future generations will be amazed that smoking continued to be legal long after its harmful effects were known.
Will future generations wonder why we allowed ourselves to be so transfixed by social media?
All young people make mistakes whilst growing up, but now there is the real threat that one poor decision will be immortalised in the ether which might be an impediment to job prospects or future relationships. It is certainly true that young teenagers are more daring in the messages and images they exchange than they could ever be in real life. Unfortunately, this is quickly becoming normalised and some adults are resigned to the fact that the genie is out of the bottle.
Can anything be done? Well, those working in schools must strive harder to educate their pupils to the inherent dangers that lurk within social media. In addition, good schools also recognise the importance of getting parents on board too. At Cranmore School we provide e-safety training for pupils from the age of four: it is never too young to teach them how to be responsible and safe with technology. We also run sessions for parents so that they have a greater insight into how their children might use social media and have the essential knowledge to keep their children safe.
As a species, we have evolved for some 200,000 years, and yet social media has been around for barely 20 years. It’s hardly surprising that this paradigm shift in the way many people communicate with each other might have profound consequences, yet to be determined.
School children have been born into a digital world and educators must do all they can to ensure social media becomes a force for good rather than something which blights the lives of our young. It has often been
said that future generations will be amazed that smoking continued to be legal long after its harmful effects were known.
Will future generations wonder why we allowed ourselves to be so transfixed by social media?
essence info
With an impressive academic record, underpinned by strong pastoral care, Cranmore School is a community where each individual matters and pupils develop a long lasting love for learning. Children study the standard subjects as well as a stimulating curriculum which includes French, Mandarin, Spanish, Latin, Greek and a wide selection of extracurricular activities. The excellent facilities include a golf course, swimming pool, fitness suite and Forest School.Website: www.cranmoreprep.co.uk
Telephone: 01483 280340
At Cranmore School we provide e-safety training for pupils from the age of four: it is never too young to teach them how to be responsible and safe with technology.