From: Laura Tierney <contact@thesocialinst.com> Sent: Jan 22, 2023 15:02:07.000000000 UTC Subject: 🁋 The Weekly Huddle: 3 trending stories about tech impacting students for good To: jeff_james@iss.k12.nc.us <jeff_james@iss.k12.nc.us>
👊 The Weekly Huddle: 3 trending stories about tech impacting students for good
Jeff, check out trending news impacting students this week + discussions to have in the classroom
Hi Jeff,
Social media and tech can get a bad rap. But it's not all bad.
Here's a flip-the-script moment with three trending, positive stories about tech's impact on students:
Help students protect their privacy with tips from a national cybersecurity expert
With 95% of teens having access to digital devices – and major hacks like the recent one with LastPass occurring regularly – cybersecurity has never been more important for students, families, and educators.
Lock arms with us on January 26th to hear from Lisa Plaggemier, Executive Director of the National Cybersecurity Alliance, as she shares strategies for the modern-day educator.
Join this webinar to help your students:
Avoid mistakes online that cause serious privacy concerns
Know how apps and websites use their personal data
Develop healthy habits and use device settings that protect sensitive information
Set boundaries and respect others’ when it comes to online privacy
#LuckyGirlSyndrome: The viral TikTok trend empowering students to "manifest luck" through positivity
TheGist: A new viral TikTok trend called #LuckyGirlSyndrome is empowering students on the internet to envision positive outcomes to manifest them in real life. How does this trend work? Easy. According to TikTok, you simply tell yourself “I am a lucky girl!” or “I am the luckiest person.” Whether you’re starting a new semester, moving to a new city, or going about a regular day, the trend is to speak your desires into existence and wholeheartedly believe that they will happen. The key? Handling the pressure by keeping a positive mindset, while staying grateful for the things you already have.
TSI’s Take: While a positive outlook is not a magic fix for the problems we experience, it allows students to feel more in control of their life by changing their perceptions. #LuckyGirlSyndrome enables students to handle the pressure by acknowledging their failures and using affirmations to help them work towards their goals, despite possible setbacks. One way we can empower our students to overcome their hurdles is by encouraging them to share their failures and talk with others about what they can do to overcome setbacks. We all experience failure. Sharing our own mistakes and hearing about others' can help us feel less alone and inspire us to work towards making positive changes.
Discover more ways to encourage students to navigate social media and tech trends by checking out our blog, and download these discussion questions to help start a conversation with your students.
Blind teen uses #techforgood to pursue his passions
The Gist: A blind teen in Murray, Utah is changing the way we look at tech. Maddox Hagemann is legally blind but isn’t letting his disability get in the way of his passions. With the help of his teacher, Jenny Hooper, and a special technology called BrailleNote, he is writing a book with his favorite jokes from the internet. “What did the ocean say to the shore? Nothing. It just waved.” This is just one example of the many jokes that Hagemann shares with his readers and friends who are learning braille too. Not only is he a teenage author, but he’s inspiring others around the country.
TSI’s Take: We often take the little things for granted, such as being able to see and share stories and jokes with friends and family. Maddox reminds us that when we use technology for good, it can change our lives and the lives of those around us. Find out how The Epstein School is empowering students to use tech for good in our case study.
Dive deeper into how you can empower your students to use tech for good by checking out our blog and huddle up with your students with this week's discussion questions!
Meta updates advertisement system to keep apps age-appropriate for students
The Gist: Meta, the company that owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, among other products and services, recently made changes to their ad experiences to keep their apps age-appropriate for their younger users. In addition to their current advertising standards, such as the restriction of prohibited topics to users under 18 years old, Meta is adding new policies for advertisers that change the way they can reach students. Among these updates, students will be given more ways to manage Facebook and Instagram ads and have access to a new privacy page that provides information and resources about their privacy across apps.
TSI’s Take: With approximately 62% of teenagers using Instagram and 32% using Facebook, there is no doubt that students love Meta-owned social media platforms. Meta’s transparency on privacy and ad policies isa step in the right direction for protecting student data, but not all platforms are as forward with how they use personal data. In our #WinAtSocial Grade 8 Protect Your Privacy Like You’re Famous Lesson, Examining How Free Apps and Websites Use Our Personal Data, we help students understand how companies use their data and how to update their privacy settings for apps and devices. You can help your students protect their privacy by encouraging them to always be mindful of what they share on social media.
Dive deeper into strategies you can use to help students protect their privacy by checking out our blogand huddle up with your students with this week's discussion questions!
The Social Institute empowers students to navigate their social world positively — including social media and technology — to fuel their health, happiness, and future success.
The Social Institute, 555 South Mangum Street Suite 100, Durham, NC 27701