Proactive & Empowering Digital Education

Do not assume middle school, high school or college students have received helpful education on social media. I first discovered this in my dissertation research and the constant news headlines reaffirm the lack of impactful curriculum. Some recent examples:

A Purdue University student is expelled, as students demand “a defined difference between freedom of speech and hate or racist speech." The University of Richmond and other universities are rescinding admission for incoming students. As reported in Inside Higher Ed, a 2017 survey of admissions deans revealed that “even if the institutions don't check regularly, if they learn about bigotry on social media from applicants, they should factor that into admissions decisions.” 

The New York Times detailed how High School Students and Alumni Are Using Social Media to Expose Racism. “People think when you call out a racist student, it’s ruining their life,’ said Mariwa Gambo, 15, a junior at a New York City public school. ‘But when you prevent them from advancing, you’re helping to stop the spread of racist lawyers or doctors or people who make it harder for the black community.’”

Another Times article notes that "social media posts can ricochet across the internet at furious speed" and "offensive social media posts that cost [some students] their admission were made years earlier."

Each of these scenarios amplifies a chasm in digital education. Most often students are told how not to behave online, given a rulebook to follow along with possible repercussions as outlined in community standards. And in these extreme cases of poor choices, it is our responsibility as educators to respond with consequences. 

“Our institutional responses have to be significant and recognize when there’s been real harm done,” Martha Compton, president of the Association for Student Conduct Administrators, said to Inside Higher Ed. (The piece also quotes Gourjoine Wade at Grambling State University and Gabe Willis of Southeastern Louisiana University. You can learn more from these insightful deans of students in my recent Leading Online panel.)

My research over the last six years has found that college students frequently use the word “careful” as it relates to their social media choices. They also use words like “addiction,” “anxious” and “heightened awareness."

So what is the disconnect? Why do we continue to see so many stumbles by teens and young adults online? 

Have you ever tried a different approach - one that attempts to inspire them versus scare them that their next post will ruin their future? Has the scare culture of social media education turned off Gen Z?

My research says yes. This is why I created my curriculum called Digital Student Leadership. Students must not only be aware of policies and ramifications, but we must guide them to connect their values, the people they care about, and their purpose to choices online. We must be preventative and proactive, not only reactive.

This curriculum must also intersect with other critical conversations and training for college students. For example, in response to recent racist social media posts, some campuses are requiring new students to take a diversity course. This training must incorporate, educate, and empower those students' use and impact on social media. 

What I’ve also discovered is that digital education must include character education - applied to higher education we see this branded as leadership education. Are your students being empowered to be leaders on Instagram? Most tell me they’ve never heard it presented that way. 

I’ve dedicated my career to developing digital leaders from college students to campus executives, and that includes helping youth become positive agents of change. You can learn about my resources for students.

Tell me, how will your campus prepare students to be responsible leaders on social media? What is working for you? Where are the opportunity gaps?

*This post was originally created for my newsletter, Digital Leadership Download. Subscribe and keep up with everything I’m writing, podcasting and speaking about!