We believe that every student has the right to be respected and to feel welcomed. Internet and social media safety for students is of paramount importance, and our teachers, staff, students and parents all have a role to play in helping students become responsible internet users.
We believe that every student has the right to be respected and to feel welcomed. Internet and social media safety for students is of paramount importance, and our teachers, staff, students and parents all have a role to play in helping students become responsible internet users.
The impact of social media
Social media permeates today’s society, with most of us engrossed in the latest happenings via apps such as Facebook, Twitter, WeChat, Snapchat and Instagram, to name but a few. At Nord Anglia Education and Collège du Léman, we embrace this modern-day phenomenon yet do so with caution and education. We know that our students are technologically literate and can share and receive information immediately, and we believe the benefits of this can far outweigh the negatives.
These benefits include opportunities for socialisation and communication, such as an enhanced sense of community and social responsibility. Online access also grants us access to unlimited information at our fingertips, which in turn provides students with increased global and cultural awareness and enhanced learning opportunities beyond the classroom. A great example of this is Nord Anglia’s online Global Campus, which connects 50,000 plus Nord Anglia students in 26 countries through online activities.
Whilst the internet and social media can be beneficial, their usage does come with notes of caution. For our students, internet or social media use can be a source of problems, such as addiction leading to depression. Students are susceptible to using social media to compare themselves to others, whether positive or negative, and this can sometimes lead to self-harm, substance misuse and generally negative behaviour. The reality is that some students also experience elements of cyberbullying.
The role of our schools – providing advice, guidance and education to students
Our schools undertake efforts to ensure student safety first and foremost. We want all students to be made aware of their responsibilities regarding the internet. This means that our schools work to ensure internet safety is a visible topic at school and that we treat cases of misuse swiftly and according to specific school guidelines.
When it comes to bullying or cyberbullying, a school’s role is often to help resolve issues that begin outside of the school itself, especially since they are likely to impact student relationships. For example, our teachers are trained to note behaviours that might be described as bullying and to take steps to immediately address them.
With an increase in childhood addiction to social media and potential for significant effects on wellbeing and mental health, it’s important for our staff to be able to understand and recognise any worrying signs, including:
Anxiety or aggression when separated from their phone, tablet or computer
Secretive behaviour
Being tired, unfocused or sleepy
Spending more time with online friends than real friends
Spending a lot of time in their bedroom
Spending many hours playing computer games
School grades suffering
Staying up very late to do homework
Many of our schools also produce materials and run workshops for parents to help them spot these signs and to offer support and guidance on how to deal with the issue sensitively but effectively.
The role of the student
