Week 10

I have read many articles on bullying for a number of my classes, as it is an ever-present and growing issue, whose consequences cannot be ignored.  Sexting is in the same category, in the sense that it results in bullying, and therefore has the same consequences, sometimes suicide.  The reason I bring up bullying is that in many of the articles I have read, I've noticed a common theme.  No matter how much the schools WANT to change the situation, the fact of the matter is, they really can't.  It is often too hard to get concrete evidence enough to single out a student who has done something wrong in these areas (even though as a teacher, most of the time you most likely know who it could be).  It is also a hairy issue with the law.  Are there laws against these things?  As the one video said, New Jersey has started to explore some of these things, but sexting is still such a new problem, that I'm sure it'll take some time to iron out the legislation.  The bottom line is that you'd be hard pressed to find someone... let me rephrase that. You'd be hard pressed to find an adult who would say sexting is not wrong, however, what can really be done to prevent it?

All you can do as a teacher, or an administrator, or as a collective group of faculty members, is respond to your responsibility and teach the responsible use of technology.  Teach about the issues of privacy, safety, and even the legal aspects.  However, like I said, it's not really going to change the whole culture.  Things like bullying and sexting are too big to take on successfully and in complete victory.  Maybe you'll save some, which is enough reason to implement instruction and pay attention to, but we cannot go home with the students and monitor their every move.  It is my belief that issues like sexting are to be taken care of primarily at home by the parents.  I do believe that schools should teach on and address these issues, as well as adequately informing the parents.  It is also a strategic and political tactic too, unfortunately, but schools need to cover themselves so that no one can say "you never did anything to prevent these things from happening."  However, any instruction in school should be done to supplement the instruction and maintenance given at home.