SOCIAL media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube connect people around the world in ways Marshall McLuhan could not have dreamed of when he popularized the term, “global village”, back in the 1960s.

Fast forward 50 years, and we find that the global village has indeed materialized, with new ideas and information being shared among people all over the world. Since education has always been about exposing people to new ideas, it’s not surprising that the impact of social media is being felt in the education sector.
Last week, four of our (Guyanese living in Guyana) students received awards for their outstanding achievement in this year’s sitting of the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) examinations. Having read about it across the media, I want to touch on something pertaining to our students “Online” life. Coincidentally, last Wednesday, some parts in Guyana had difficulty getting onto the Internet. One young lady was so frustrated, anxiety started to set in. “I need my Internet,” she said. “If my BBM does not work, I can hardly survive. I am addicted to it.” I was astounded by this! Is there nothing else to do? I guess not; for her, that is.
In today’s plugged-in society, the world is literally at your child’s fingertips. As the Internet continues to become an integral part of education, many private school administrators and parents are growing mindful of the risks facing Web-savvy students.

Creatingan Online profile
Social networking presents several challenges, with a student’s Online activity subject to scrutiny at any time. Sites such as Facebook and Twitter are public spaces, and while privacy settings are crucial to limiting access, content such as personal information, photographs and conversations can be both visible and permanent. These days, students should be aware that not only do friends and family read their Internet profiles, but also institutions considering them as a potential candidate, particularly academic admissions counselors.
Photo posting is the most obvious example of the potential pitfalls of social sites. Images can easily be misinterpreted out of context. Questionable behaviour, even if it is not directly linked to the student in question, is a red flag to any prospective community reviewing the site. As a rule, your child should only post those images they are comfortable sharing with you.
Teenagers no longer email; they text, and they can access the Internet while walking down the street, thereby making it all the more difficult for parents to be vigilant. But, don’t parents allow this? Are parents not the ultimate decider of what a child should have during school age?
Constant accessibility can often lead to careless use of social networking, with students posting messages on the fly. Recently, such behaviour has made headlines as a growing outlet for bullying, where inappropriate behaviour is displayed in a forum that is anything but private. Students should be sure their personal privacy settings censor the content posted to their pages by others as well.
Awareness through education
Many private schools have built their own Online communities, even allowing teachers to post assignments on affiliated Web sites. Along with participation comes an increased effort to educate parents and students on how to better protect their Online identities, for their academic futures and beyond.
Some schools say they want students to have access to digital tools, and that means they allow them to explore the Internet for new and interesting information.
But, what happens outside of the classroom matters. Yes! Outside the classroom, parents can assist by becoming aware of their child’s Online habits. For younger students, consider keeping the computer in an open space, where activity can be easily monitored, and time limits can be set. I advise parents to check in on chat conversations and emails, and, if possible, to maintain password access to these sites. For most parents, monitoring at home should be conducted on a discretionary basis.
I suggest parents periodically ask to see their children’s (social networking) ‘Page’, and ask the child to delete anything that they the parent finds questionable; I am sure parents will have a lot to delete, so, I suggest you take a snack and nap before you undergo this project.
Teachers and other educators need to talk to their students and parents frequently about the importance of ongoing communication and respect for one another. Continuing to build those relationships, I believe, is the best tool parents can use to partner with their children over this issue. Social networking is very effective in today’s world, penetrating deeply into our school children’s heart, directly or in directly. It can add peer pressure, fatigue, anxiety and can evidently lead to suicide, which is something we don’t want, ever!
With teens, parents can build upon these discussions by appealing to their child’s desire for independence and encourage responsibility toward his or her digital identity. Students should view a social networking profile as an extension of their personal resume, carefully selecting and sharing only positive information. Parents might suggest their child focus blog posts on extracurricular activities or a hobby they are passionate about, as a way of enhancing a future application. By taking an active interest in an increasingly important part of their child’s daily life, parents can even grow closer while still teaching them how to protect themselves.
Talk to students about what they do online and get involved. Allow them to show you the cool things they’re doing online; you might learn something too.
Parents and teacher can assist by helping students think about what they are doing before they do it, as opposed to simply cutting them off to protect them. Let our students to be educated digital citizens who are able to problem solve and navigate their changing world.
Any advancement in technology has its supporters — and its detractors. By all accounts, it appears that we may be at the cusp of an educational revolution, where the impact of social media is radically changing the way education has been traditionally delivered. Time will tell whether the benefits outweigh the drawbacks but one thing is certain — social media is having, and will continue to have, a lasting impact on the education field.