Pros and Cons of Technology and Social Media In and Out of the Classroom

 

 

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The topic this week was social media and its affect on mental health. I chose the documentary “PLUGGED IN: The True Toxicity of Social Media Revealed” by Richard Grannon. In this documentary, Grannon goes in depth about the harms of social media on people’s mental health. Throughout the documentary Grannon is seen also talking with a group of teens and challenges them to go a month without their smart phones and use a “dumb phone” instead. The teens came back saying they felt better without social media and their smart phones, with some even saying they would do it again. The documentary is effective in highlighting just how unhealthy social media and cell phones can be without properly limiting your use. The University of Utah Health’s web page on tips for both parents and teens provides some ways that parents can help their children to better deal with their cell phones and social media and some ways that teens can take matters into their own hands by managing their notifications, limiting time on the phone, and even deleting social media apps as a way to give yourself a break. It is clear that there are negatives of today’s current technology.

While social media and technology has many negatives, there are also many positives if applied in moderation, especially in the classroom. On all grade levels technology allows for access to any information necessary for both students and instructors. It can provide educational information as well as interactive ways for students to learn. On an elementary level, technology should be used a little as possible. Videos and interactive games can be useful in keeping young students engaged, however using computers or tablets tend to make material less memorable than if students were to write in notebooks or on worksheets. There is less emphasis on a student to practice crucial motor skills when writing and less time spent on thinking the problem through. Technology can also be very distracting for younger children, so having students use individual laptops may do more bad than good for them individually. This also creates an even larger divide between students as there is nothing pushing them to interact with each other beyond their laptops. (Future, 2022)

On high grade levels like middle school or high school, technology benefits them in many similar ways, however these students are older and beginning to learn how to manage things on their own so its important that there is an emphasis on educating them about their cell phones and social media. Aspects such as responsibly and safely use and manage their devices and the time they spend on them. I will admit that when I was a little younger I would not take these lessons so seriously. I blew it off because I thought that me using Instagram or Snapchat was not going to hurt me. How could it? I only talk to my friends or use filters. But after covid, and having so much time to myself on social media I better understand why it is important to be aware of how you’re using social media and how much you’re using it. I tend to use mine to talk to friends. I rarely post and often find myself scrolling through random videos. So I must be more aware of the time I’m spending on my phone rather than what I am posting or how many likes I’ve received. Now that I am in college and many friends have gone away for college, social media and my cell phone have created an opportunity for me to continue staying in touch with the people I care about. This being said, social media and cell phones also make it much easier to stay in contact with people outside of the classroom. This is useful for group projects or students who may miss class and would like notes from a friend. However, it should still be limited use while in the classroom.

Overall, technology does come with many negatives, but if used in moderation and in the appropriate ways in reference to the classroom or one’s social life, it can provide many positive aspects as well.

 

 

 

 

References

Communication, M. and. (2023, June 26). Tips for healthy social media use: For parents and teens. University of Utah Health | University of Utah Health. https://healthcare.utah.edu/healthfeed/2023/01/tips-healthy-social-media-use-parents-and-teens

Future Educators. (2022, September 20). Pros and cons of technology in the classroom. https://www.futureeducators.org/technology-in-classrooms-pros-cons/

Kamenetz, A. (2019, August 27). The scientific debate over teens, screens and Mental Health. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2019/08/27/754362629/the-scientific-debate-over-teens-screens-and-mental-health?utm_source=npr_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=20190901&utm_campaign=ed&utm_term=nprnews&utm_id=25646263

Klein, A. (2024, April 16). Schools say no to cellphones in class. but is it a smart move?. Education Week. https://www.edweek.org/technology/schools-say-no-to-cellphones-in-class-but-is-it-a-smart-move/2019/09

Langreo, L. (2024, April 16). Cellphone bans can ease students’ stress and anxiety, educators say. Education Week. https://www.edweek.org/leadership/cellphone-bans-can-ease-students-stress-and-anxiety-educators-say/2023/10