What educators can do to protect students now as states rally against Meta
Be sure to check out the suggested Huddle question at the bottom of this article to have an engaging conversation on this topic with your students in class!
In today’s world where 95% of teens regularly use a smartphone, 45% of them say that they are online almost constantly, and 56% of parents worry their child is addicted to technology, equipping students with the modern life skills to navigate their online worlds has never been more important. This is highlighted by the recent legal actions taken against Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, by more than three dozen states and highlights the need for educators, parents, and society to prioritize social media education for students. This legal battle alleging Meta used deceptive tech practices to attract and hook young users highlights the importance of empowering students to strike a balance with their tech and social media to empower them to maintain a balanced and healthy relationship with their online social worlds.
More than 3 dozen states sue Meta
Meta, a corporate giant overseeing social media titans such as Facebook and Instagram, now finds itself entangled in multiple legal battles initiated by a coalition of states. The states have jointly filed lawsuits claiming that Meta knowingly and unfairly lured children to its platforms through deceptive tactics. They accuse the corporation of violating consumer protection laws, misleading users about platform safety, and specifically targeting young users with psychologically manipulative product features.
These features, like the notorious “infinite scroll” and persistent alerts, are designed to captivate students’ attention and keep them engaged. Moreover, Meta is alleged to have unlawfully collected personal data from its youngest users without obtaining parental consent, a direct violation of federal children’s online privacy laws.
Educators’ role in helping students navigate Meta’s platforms
When you take into account school schedules, extracurriculars, and after-school jobs, some students end up spending more waking hours per day with their teachers than they do with their families. Educators play a pivotal role in guiding students to strike a balance and avoid the pitfalls that can lead to addictive behavior on social media.
In an interview with WRAL, TSI founder and CEO, Laura Tierney, spoke about the importance of equipping students with modern life skills to navigate all technology. “There will be a new trending app that comes out three months from now, so the more that we can help our students build timeless life skills that can apply to any app, the better,” she said.
The ongoing lawsuit against Meta underscores the urgency of this mission. By teaching students to strike a balance in their digital lives, educators can guide them toward responsible, ethical, and productive online behavior. As mentors and guides, educators can foster self-awareness and responsible tech usage by setting clear boundaries and expectations in the classroom. They can educate students about the potential pitfalls of excessive screen time, the addictive nature of certain apps, and the importance of mindful online engagement.
Furthermore, educators can encourage open dialogue about technology’s impact on students’ lives, enabling them to voice their concerns and seek guidance when needed. By equipping students with the knowledge and skills to strike this crucial balance, educators empower the next generation to harness the benefits of technology while maintaining their well-being and mental health.
TSI’s Take
Because we can’t always rely on tech giants to create products with our students’ best interests in mind, the ongoing legal action against Meta reminds us of the importance of empowering students to strike a balance. As educators, we can help students recognize the signs of addictive behaviors and the risks of harmful online practices.
In our Grade 9 #WinAtSocial Strike A Balance lesson, Debating tech giants’ newest features and the science of screen time, students are empowered to:
- Debate whether or not companies should help us better manage their screen time
- Analyze their own screen time stats and examine how they align with our goals
- Brainstorm creative ways to stay focused and not be overly distracted by our devices
If you’re interested in running this lesson to help create a healthier and more balanced online environment for your students, talk to a member of our team today. Our peer-to-peer learning platform, #WinAtSocial empowers your students to harness the power of technology for good while avoiding its pitfalls, no matter the decisions or features made by tech giants.
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#WinAtSocial Huddle Question
Huddle with your students
Considering the recent legal actions against Meta for targeting young users, how can we strike a balance and navigate social media positively? Share out with the class!
The Social Institute (TSI) is the leader in understanding student experiences and the 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.