Revaluate, Rethink, Release | Jesse Miller | TedxWestVancouver ED Talk

I enjoyed Jesse’s Ted Talk. I found that he did an excellent job of getting the point across that children need to be taught the consequences and benefits of social media from a young age. While watching Jesse Miller’s Ted Talk I found a couple of key points that he mentioned that really stood out to me. 

“We haven’t prepared our students for the biggest online threat they may face: their own actions.”

As adults, we tend to think that there are predators out to get children on online platforms. Although, this is true the biggest threat children can face is indeed their actions. Children need to understand the idea of a digital footprint. Anything they do, say, or post on social media is forever going to be available to the public. Teaching children that the choices they make at a young age can affect them when they are older is a vital key point of teaching children how to manage their online identity. 

“If we focus only on developing digital citizenship, we will surely fail to develop digital leaders.”

I think digital citizenship is very important in teaching children how to use social media and technology responsibly from a young age but introducing the concept of digital leaders to children is equally as important. Digital leaders use technology and media platforms to help improve the lives of others in many different ways. I think encouraging children to look into what digital leaders do can hold an important aspect of what the internet has to offer.

What does media literacy mean and why is it important?

While teaching children how to use media and technology safely and responsibly it is important to bring up the topic of media literacy. Media literacy is the idea of knowing when it is appropriate to be using devices and when it is not appropriate. Taking photos and documenting things can be very fun but everyone should use technology in a way where we don’t make others uncomfortable or feel unsafe. Examples of when it may be appropriate to use online devices: are school or work purposes, when you have spare time, or for enjoyment purposes. Examples of when it may not be appropriate to use online devices: are before bedtime, during social interactions with others, and during physical activities. Obviously there are exceptions but it as a good rule to refer too.

Should we be teaching children about media and technology at an early age?

I think parents and early childhood educators should begin to talk about media and technology responsibilities during the preschool age. As our society becomes more technologically advanced we must prepare children for what they may encounter, how to keep themselves safe on the internet, and what is and isn’t appropriate for children to be posting or looking at. The best way I think to do this is in small fun increments so children do not feel overwhelmed as the internet has a lot to offer. 

What will I be taking from this Ted Talk and incorporating into my classroom?

As a future elementary school teacher I will most certainly be implementing internet safety and technology skills in my classroom. I think technology has become a huge part of society and it is important to talk about what is and is not appropriate for children to do online. Highlighting the idea that what children say or do on the internet is a subject I will be spending a decent amount of time on in my class. I want my students to understand the positive and negative effects of using technology.