1. Middle Schoolers & Social Media
Jaime Walkley
Mental Health Counselor
RPA | ROCS | BHA | BHM | VSA
Stephanie Artesi
Social-Emotional Counselor
BHM

2. Our Intentions & Goals
It is important that we are proactive in educating ourselves on what is out there in the social media world. We need to encourage our students to be smart and safe in using technology.
Today, we will have the opportunity to learn about and discuss the following topics:
Current Social Media Trends
Pros & Cons of Social Media Use
Overall Internet-Safety
Tips & Guidelines
Our intentions and goals for today;
Because technology and social media are a key aspect in many of our lives and in the lives of our students, it is important…

3. Popular Social Media Apps & Trends
Take a look at these social media app icons. When you’re ready, show the number of apps that you recognize by showing me a 1-10 with your fingers.
For those of you with less than 10 fingers up, which icons do you not know?
Do any of you use these apps yourselves?

4. Teens Take On Social Media:
Teens Take On Social Media:
Did anything surprise you regarding the statements made by the teens shown in this video?
Did it sound familiar?
Other thoughts?

5. …What are they doing? …Why are they doing that?
Popular Trends:
Developmentally speaking…
Going Live
Snap Chat Streaks
DM-ing
YouTube Challenges
Spam Accounts (Instagram & Musical.ly)
Middle schoolers have strong need to belong to a group—with peer approval becoming more important and adult approval decreasing in importance (Scales, 2010)
Young adolescents seek their own sense of individuality and uniqueness (Brown & Knowles, 2007).
Popular trends:
Are there any phrases that sound unfamiliar? Which?
Developmentally speaking:
Some of these trends enable students to achieve some of their needs (i.e. need to belong, getting “likes”, having a lot of “streaks” having a large number of followers)
Ability to express selves in a free form

6. What Should We Look Out For?
Potential Risks From Social Media Use:
Peer-to-Peer
Conflict
Lack of Understanding of Online Privacy Issues
Inappropriate Content
Outside Influences of Third-Party Advertising Groups
+ ”Facebook Depression” Phenomenon
Article published by the American Academy of Pediatrics, Most of the risks we see of children and adolescents using social media falls into 4 different categories:
Peer to peer:
Example: Definition of cyberbullying: deliberately using digital media to communicate false, embarrassing, or hostile information about another person.
Ex: screenshots/taking pictures or videos of peer without permission/ passing pictures around, etc.
Linked with intense psychosocial outcomes: depression, anxiety, severe isolation, even suicide/self-harm.
Inappropriate content
Sending inappropriate messages, pictures/videos;
“sexting”; in a study, 20% of teens reported sending or posting nude/semi-nude photos or videos of selves; possible legal offenses (charge/conviction of child pornography); in school consequences could include suspension
The survey was fielded online to a total of 1,280 respondents—653 teens (ages 13-19) and 627 young adults (ages 20-26)—between September 25, 2008 and October 3, 2008.
Privacy issues
Many risks of improper use of technology, lack of privacy, sharing too much information, or posting false information about selves/others
Affects “digital footprint” or the collective/on-going record of one’s web activity.
i.e. think of googling one’s self
Ad influence:
Many sites display multiple advertisements that are targeted and based on web-browsing behavior (ex: spending time on Zillow/realtor & on Instagram ads for same apps pop up)
Influence spending habits and views of what is normal
Facebook depression: defined as depression that develops when preteens and teens spend a great deal of time on social media sites and begin to exhibit classic symptoms of depression; at risk for social isolation; may turn to risky internet sites/blogs for “help” that may promote unsafe behaviors/aggressive/self-destructive behaviors
i.e. reading story about peer who is sad and says that self-harming helps to feel better
pediatrics.org/cgi/doi/ /peds

7. Benefits Of Using Social Media
Socialization & Communication
Community engagement, enhancing creativity through sharing artistic/musical interests, online connections through shared interests, fostering individual identities/unique social skills.
Enhanced Learning Opportunities
Using social media to connect with peers on homework/projects/test preparation.
Accessing Health Information*
Easily & anonymously access information on health concerns
* Susceptible to receiving inaccurate information; importance of parental involvement
O’Keeffe et. al. share three main benefits of social media use by children and adolescents.
Socialization & communication
Teens are able to stay connected with friends and family; which is key in their development to maintain positive social interactions with others
Ability to connect with peers who share similar interests and provide opportunity to grow ideas
Enhanced Learning Opportunities
Different social media sites provide opportunity to gather and collaborate outside of class to continue work on school projects & assignments.
O’Keefe mention some schools using blogs as teaching tools to reinforce skills in English, written expression, & creativity
Accessing Health Information
Both a pro and con to have a wealth of knowledge on phone, computer/tablet easily accessible; but important to help students and educate them on using reliable resources, interpreting the information correctly, & not become overwhelmed by the information they are reading (WebMD)
pediatrics.org/cgi/doi/ /peds

8. Promote Internet Safety & Digital Citizenship
Using preventative measures
Social media contract
Communication
Understanding legal requirements & parental control
Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA); minimum age= 13
Understanding developmental needs
Identity, belonging, social group
Do your research
Social media trends
Popular social media sites
Promote healthy digital citizenship
Example of social media contract
Open communication with your student; having a plan if something upsetting/inappropriate occurs
COPPA set by Congress
If we understand where our students are developmentally, and what they need in order to achieve their needs in a healthy way, it enables us to help guide and shit their social media behavior and access so that they are able to still achieve their needs, but in a developmentally appropriate way.
Importance of knowing and understanding what your student is being exposed to
Digital citizenship refers to appropriate and responsible use of technology:
Principles of DC:
Respect Your Self/Respect Others- Etiquette
- Access
- Law
Educate Your Self/Connect with Others
- Literacy
- Communication
- Commerce
Protect Your Self/Protect Others
-Rights and Responsibility
- Safety (Security)
- Health and Welfare