What Educators Can Teach Students as Social Media Role Models

In many countries, social media is part of everyday life. Children, teens, and adults spend countless hours on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat. If you’re interested in teaching abroad, being a social media role model is an important part of your job. In some locations, like remote towns or villages, your students may have little knowledge about the advantages and risks associated with social media. From International Teachers Plus, here are a few things educators can teach students as social media role models:

How to Determine “Real” News

Unfortunately, much of the news published online is fake, or factually inaccurate. As educators, we pride ourselves on our dedication to using viable sources, and thorough fact-checking. On social media; however, there is the potential for the truth to get muddled. Students need to be taught which sources are trustworthy, which to avoid, and where to find concrete and reliable information.

How to Stay Safe Online

Although social media is recognized for its power to allow individuals to communicate, share, and learn from others around the world, it must also be recognized for its dangers. As a teacher, you are in a position of authority. You are a person students trust, and respect. By setting a good example, and showing students appropriate and safe usage of social media, you can help steer them away from dangerous situations Online. Teaching students how to post appropriately, make social media accounts private, and fairly interact and communicate with others Online, you can make a big difference.

Encourage Growth and Knowledge Through Social Media Use

Social media is a fantastic outlet to retrieve and disseminate information. As a teacher, you can incorporate social media into individual projects or group exercises. Creating and posting informative videos, writing blogs, and creating websites are all ways in which students can learn, grow, and share their work. Incorporating social media into regular curriculum is also a great way to teach students how to use different types of media, valuable in the future when applying for jobs.

 The Importance of Putting a Cap on Screen Time

 Teaching students about the importance of putting a limit on social media use is just as crucial as teaching them how to use it. Millennials tend to overuse and even rely on social media for entertainment, communication, and to pass time. This can have lasting negative effects. In fact, usage of certain social media sites has been linked to increased levels of depression, jealousy, and low self-esteem. By teaching students to regulate their social media use, you can prevent these undesirable emotional effects.

When teaching abroad, your job encompasses several roles. Teaching students how to safely use and accurately retrieve information from social media is an important one. If you are interested in teaching abroad, get in touch with us today at International Teachers Plus. We offer new jobs and careers to thousands of teachers at top-tier schools across the globe.