The power of using our mic for good: How a student-run group is lobbying to regulate social media
Here at The Social Institute, we believe that students have the most important voices of all when it comes to social media and technology. Growing up in a heavily digital world, they have witnessed firsthand the positives and negatives of these platforms— making it crucial that we listen carefully to their perspectives and concerns. By supporting students as best we can as they navigate social media and technology, we can create an environment where students’ voices are not only heard but actively embraced.
Keep reading to find out how two students are using their mic for good to create change and regulate social media.
How Tech(nically) Politics is creating change in social media
Like many social media users, Emma Lembke was in sixth grade when she first joined. At first, she was excited to open her first Instagram account, but quickly realized social media is not always what it seems. She began tying her self-worth to her follower count and the number of likes she received on her posts. This led Lembke to re-evaluate social media, and she started wondering what she could do to make a difference and help others.
Since then, Lembke teamed up with Aliza Kopans— who had very similar experiences with social media use— to found Tech(nically) Politics, a youth lobbying and advocacy group that pushes for social media regulation. Together they believe that lawmakers have a duty to enact legislation to regulate how social media companies design for student users.
Tech(nically) Politics put together a strategic plan to reach and influence lawmakers— and they’re getting other students involved. Students all over the U.S. are invited to record video and audio testimonials about their own experiences with online platforms. They are also encouraged to share how they think the regulation of these platforms should change to promote the well-being of their users. The campaign then compiles the testimonials into episodes and sends them off to lawmakers from the local to federal levels, which hopefully leads to tech regulation moving to the top of lawmakers’ agendas.
TSI’s Take
As the first generation to grow up surrounded by what we see as modern-day tech and social media, students have a unique perspective when it comes to both, making it imperative that we listen attentively to their insights and concerns. Tech(nically) Politics’ efforts to engage students from across the country in sharing their stories is a powerful way to make real change within the social media community.
Through initiatives like Tech(nically) Politics, we can create a positive and responsible social media environment that respects the mental and physical well-being of students. By actively listening to students, they will feel even more empowered to speak up, use their mics for good, and advocate for themselves to ensure their experiences – both online and offline – fuel their health, happiness, and success.
You can empower your students to take actionable steps for positive change in social media by encouraging them to:
- Collaborate with peers, educators, and policymakers to develop and advocate for regulations that address the challenges of social media
- Advocate for their concerns by speaking up about issues they encounter on social media, whether it’s cyberbullying, harmful content, or privacy issues
- Get involved with initiatives like Tech(nically) Politics that are working towards creating real change online
For more ways to empower your students to use their mics for good and create a healthy & happy social media experience, contact us today!
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The Social Institute (TSI) is the leader in understanding student experiences and creator of #WinAtSocial, a gamified, online learning platform that equips students, educators, and families to navigate social experiences — online and offline — in healthy ways. Our unique, student-respected approach incorporates topics like social media, technology use, and current events that have a significant impact on student well-being. Lessons teach life skills for the modern day to inspire high-character decisions that support the health, happiness, and future success of students, while capturing data that provides insights to school leaders to inform school policy and communications, and enable high-impact teaching and a healthy learning environment. For schools, our turnkey technology allows for easy implementation and a comprehensive game plan to support the well-being of school communities. For schools, our turnkey technology allows for easy implementation and a comprehensive game plan to support the well-being of school communities.