How GenZ is using peer mentorship to help their own “digital wellness.” October 13th, 2023 was a day to celebrate progress for education. California had just passed Assembly Bill No. 873 which mandates “Media Literacy” into core curriculums throughout the state’s public K-12 schools. Eighteen other states were taking similar action. The momentum was … [Read more...] about Teens to Teachers: “We Got This.”
Youth
Should we ban mobile phones in schools?
**Reprinted with author’s permission** For further writing on media education and related issues, see David Buckingham’s website: www.davidbuckingham.net Reviewing arguments for and against – and proposing a media education approach. Last week, I participated in a webinar about mobile phones in schools organised by IAME, the International Association for … [Read more...] about Should we ban mobile phones in schools?
Snapchat’s “My AI”
In February of 2023, Snapchat released the new artificial intelligence powered chat box “My AI” to subscribers of Snapchat Plus. The feedback has been nothing but negative. The chat box, powered by OpenAI’s ChatGPT feature, functions to offer up appropriate answers to any question that a user asks. According to Snapchat’s CEO, Evan Spiegel, the chat box intends to … [Read more...] about Snapchat’s “My AI”
Youth and Anxiety: Captivated by Social Media
Society today revolves around social media. Whether it is to read the news, keep up with friends, or watch videos as a pastime, it is difficult to go a day without using social media. Social media can be very damaging to one's mental health and anxiety. While social media is a great asset, some people do not always use it in a positive way. No matter someone's age, they … [Read more...] about Youth and Anxiety: Captivated by Social Media
Prioritizing You: Understanding the Influence of Social Media
Let's be honest... If you're reading this right now and you have a social media account, you probably spend more than an hour a day scrolling. But do not worry, you're not alone. I do it too as do 80% of Americans, according to DataReportal. The average use of social media in America is 2.5 hours (Dixon). That being said, the real questions we should be asking ourselves are how … [Read more...] about Prioritizing You: Understanding the Influence of Social Media
Machine Learning, But Are Classes Learning?
An original version of this article was published in MxMIndia, a media news and opinion portal from Mumbai, India. My big takeaway from 2022 is that social media and pandemic have launched a joint and effective assault on classroom learning. When I look at some social media content from younger folks, I see so much creativity and social awareness, sensitivity and … [Read more...] about Machine Learning, But Are Classes Learning?
Habits of Inquiry and Skills of Expression Needed to be Critical Thinkers
Abstract There is a consensus in the literature that the purpose of education, specifically media literacy education is to provide people with the habits of inquiry and skills of expression they need to be critical thinkers, effective communicators, and active citizens in the world. For a long time already, we have been searching for the best ways to promote critical … [Read more...] about Habits of Inquiry and Skills of Expression Needed to be Critical Thinkers
Reading the World: Journalism, Communication, and I
Abstract Scholars and journalists have long hoped that media education could positively tackle the information challenge and enhance social goals such as political and civic engagement particularly among youngsters. This paper seeks to present the way the “Academy for Reading the World: Journalism, Communication and I” promotes an interdisciplinary approach to media literacy … [Read more...] about Reading the World: Journalism, Communication, and I
The Influence of Social Media on Children
Social media has had a huge influence on children of all ages. There are many positives and negatives to social media. Starting with the positives, social media gives children the ability to connect with their friends and their family members as well. Social media turned into something very positive when the pandemic started. When the pandemic started, young children were able … [Read more...] about The Influence of Social Media on Children
Social Media and Its Effects on the Classroom
There is no denying that our social media and networks have transformed the landscape of our entire lives. It is what we live and breathe for every day. They disrupt our sleep schedules, decision-making process, and most importantly our learning and growing development. As a future teacher myself, I am beginning to see the shift in children as young as six and … [Read more...] about Social Media and Its Effects on the Classroom
The Happiness Effect: How Social Media Is Driving a Generation to Look Perfect at Any Cost
The Happiness Effect, written by Donna Freitas, is a book that dives into the effects social media has on the current generation and the image it is constantly trying to portray. Freitas does this by conducting multiple different interviews and surveys within different college campuses which seems like the heart of where your answers to social media effects and usage would come … [Read more...] about The Happiness Effect: How Social Media Is Driving a Generation to Look Perfect at Any Cost
Green Guerrillas Youth Media Tech Collective: Sustainable Storytellers Challenging the Status Quo
Abstract: The Green Guerrillas Youth Media Tech Collective, a community organization based in Ithaca, New York, set out to define sustainability in their own terms by giving a diverse group of local adolescents the opportunity to engage subjects of environmental and social justice through digital media production within the auspices of a unique afterschool job-training … [Read more...] about Green Guerrillas Youth Media Tech Collective: Sustainable Storytellers Challenging the Status Quo
