This week included the second of what will hopefully be many presentations about digital media safety. The first, for parents, was held in the fall at a PTO evening meeting. At that presentation, our School Resource Officer, Corey Santasky, presented to parents about popular apps and digital media, including those that he and his colleagues seem as currently most problematic with teens. He also spoke of both face to face as well as internet bullying and harassment. With all of these, he also spoke to the legal implications of inappropriate use. I know that I, along with many parents, found it very informative, and there was a resounding feeling that parents wanted students to hear the same messages.
To that end, Officer Santasky has been preparing to speak with our students about these topics. This week, he began the first of what will be three grade-level presentations on the topics of online bullying and harassment and their legal consequences as well as what is safe vs. not safe to share online. The topic of the taking, sharing, and distribution of inappropriate photographs (and videos) and their implications was one important topic that was addressed, as this issue is on the rise in all communities, including Reading. Current research states that this rising trend of sharing inappropriate photographs ("sexting") is a trend for adolescents as they explore adolescence and sexuality. Yet these explorations can have serious consequences that are not always clear to teens. We therefore want to make sure that our Coolidge students are making informed decisions as they use their devices, and are clear about the consequences.
While we believe that this assembly made an impression on our 8th graders, and will hopefully make a similar impression in the versions we share with the other grades (keeping the material grade-appropriate), we feel strongly that the messages need to be repeated, reinforced, and part of the online culture that our students are building together. If we can empower them to be their own best judges and jury, to set high standards for communication online, and to focus on safe communication, then we help students reduce the risk of creating a damaging digital footprint that could impact their future. We hope that parents will join us in supporting our students to make good choices and to monitor their appropriate internet use.
We will continue to keep parents informed of assemblies and discussions about this topic, and encourage you to take part in future presentations as well. We also encourage you to speak with your teens about this important issue, to monitor their internet and cell phone use, communicate with other parents, and to let us know if there are concerns that you think we should address at school
It DOES take a village, doesn't it?
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