Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1480924
"I think specific examples would be students getting engaged in civic activ- ities and talking about getting out the vote. Or teens having honest online con- versations, instead of putting out curated versions of themselves. So many kids are struggling with anxiety, depression and other mental health issues. There are online communities and organizations that of fer validation and support and resources, which students can share with others on Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter." e Elk Grove Education Association member acknow ledges that students have displayed poor digital citizenship with TikTok challenges, cyberbullying and posting footage of physical fights. " We are trying to encourage activism instead , so that students' valu es and beliefs align with what they are doing online. We are trying to have students think beyond their immediate lives and see themselves as part of a larger, global community and a means for good." Power to the Students Rohya Prudhomme, the instructional technology facilitator from LAUSD, says students are embracing the fact that social media allows their voices to be heard — and create real change. "In our district students have used online platforms to create support for d i f f e re n t s o c i a l j u st i c e i s su e s . T h e y h av e e n c o u r a g e d o t h e r s t o c o n t a c t their local representatives about issues including climat e change, hom eless- n e s s a n d e v e n l o c a l b e a u t i f i c a t i o n p r o j e c t s , s u c h a s g e tt i n g s i d e w a l k s repaired in their community." When the city finally repaired the side- walks, students were elated, she says. "We encourage activism, so students' values and beliefs align with what they are doing online, and they see themselves as part of a larger, global community and a means for good." —Erica Swift, Elk Grove Education Association Several of Erica Swift's students in Elk Grove, from left to right: Joshua Chau, Jayna Jamson, Leonardo Lopez and Layla Jones. All have a solid understanding of what Swift has taught them; says Jamson, "I demonstrate good digital citizenship by being positive when people spread negative rumors and negative information. When I see negative comments, I report them or get them to stop." "ey were so empowered to see the real- life impact of their actions. They were incredibly proud to be making an impact in their own communities and see them- selves as digital agents of change." Student advocacy online happens fre- quently at the Social Justice Academy at San Leandro High School, says Erica Viray Santos, who teaches U.S history, government/economics, and social jus- tice elective courses while serving as the program coordinator. "I hon estly think social m edia and technology can either be a weapon of mass destruction or used for mass con- struction," says Viray Santos, a member of San Leandro Teachers Association. After Roe v. Wade was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court, concerned stu- dents issued a survey on social media, connected with community members, created a quick action plan, and helped to facilitate a protest with strong turnout in front of San Leandro City Hall — all 22 cta.org Feature