Norms and Responsibilities

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Norms and Responsibilities

Scott Pierce
I understand why we use the term "norms" but I would add that we might say "appropriate norms" is a better influence. It is possible that the "norm" is not being performed in an appropriate fashion. As with any "cute" behavior in teenagers, copycats are quick to imitate what they've seen, and this applies to online activity as well, sometimes in a negative light. If would be nice if the norm, were, in fact, appropriate.

My greatest concern with children/students and their online presence is their "need" to share and/or comment on everything... but then again, I hear this from grown-ups as well, so where do the kids get it? In nearly 30 years in education, I've seen many kids react too quickly to something, but in the years-of-old, many remarks were unheard. Now students turn to social media to post their thoughts and concerns, which do not go unnoticed, and as has been the case for some time, they were too quick to share what they thought.

With the help of their parents, we can certainly attempt to teach that there are responsibilities that come with free speech. Free speech might be the greatest freedom bestowed upon people, but it is not without a few considerations, and even some limitation. As a government teacher (and technology teacher), I have said repeatedly over the years to my students, "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should..."

My other concern with students and their digital presence is that spoken language has nuances like sarcasm that are typically not misunderstood. Today we have emojis which are an attempt to share this but even so, a digital message is capable of being misconstrued. As with any communication, I think we can attempt to teach kids how to "hear" and understand what they've heard and read, and look for the author's intent and possible state of mind, bias, etc.

We certainly have new opportunities through technology; I do worry that it creates for a few people difficulty they would not have encountered without it.