This article brings up really important issues with the way we use the internet. I think we have all heard about cyber bullying and predators on the internet. As teachers, we have a responsibility to educate our students about these things and to teach them how to protect themselves and others. I agree with all of the points the author of the article made. All of the tips and research outlined in it are valuable resources for teachers.
I also think our education system needs to put a higher value on health education. Mental and emotional health are so important and I do not think we spend enough time or effort teaching our students how to live a healthy lifestyle. If we focus more on the health and well-being of our students, I truly think we will see a reduction in the amount of bullying. The internet is here to stay and social media is an enormous part of most students' lives. If our students are educated about mental and emotional health at a young age and it continues as a core part of their education through their entire schooling, I think they will be more equipped to use the internet. It will improve the lives of the people doing the bullying as well as those being bullied. I even think the amount of predators will reduce if those who may become predators grow up with a better health education. I don't just mean we need another health unit sometime during school like the two months I got during my Freshman year in high school. I mean we need to make health education a central subject all throughout education. I realize this kind of shift will take time, but this way, the internet will be a safer place for everyone.
I really loved your blog post! I definitely agree with what you said about our education system putting a higher value on health education. I think it is crucial to be teaching our students to be safe and healthy in order for them to be successful and happy in their own lives. I also definitely think cyber bulling is such a huge issue and that as teachers we can help by educating our students about safety online and what to determine what is good and what is bad on the internet. Thanks for getting me to think about health ed and the shift that you think our education system should take...really got me thinking!
ReplyDeleteReading your article really perked my interest. I agree that we tend to neglect health education when it relates to mental and emotional health. Nowadays the internet is doing more damage than people are physically doing...and that's scary. So many children are being to exposed to bullying and discrimination via technology, and it gets overlooked. Health education is something that should be addressed in every grade from junior high and beyond in my opinion. Our minds are fragile and for children, one comment, post, text message, etc. can change their entire perception of themselves in a negative manner. Thanks for sharing!
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