[Transcript from Video]

Have you ever felt that wave of joy being retweeted on twitter?

Had your Instagram picture liked by 20 people and gained 5 new followers?

Got a hashtag trending worldwide?

Or experienced the horror of having your Snapchat picture screengrabbed?

Of being defriended by someone you thought liked you?

Or Seen a malicious post about you online?

Maybe not, but I guarantee nearly each and every young person has experienced the rollercoaster of emotions that goes hand in hand with social media.

For the younger generation social media is extremely important; as important to them as paying our rent on time, as important to them as providing for our family, as important to them as our family in general. While I’m not here to discuss, or attempt to dissuade the younger generation from placing this high level of importance in social media, I am here to stress the importance of making the school environment a place where thoughts and feelings linked to social media can be expressed freely.

You wouldn’t shy away from an overheard conversation describing domestic violence at home and you wouldn’t standby as a child was bullied in the classroom. So why shy away from the online world? A world which countless times has been linked to bullying, exploitation and untimely deaths.

For many of your pupils school represents a safe haven where their worries, concerns and fears can be relayed to trusted adults with confidence that something will be done. Maintaining and expanding this open platform to the digital world is crucial in allowing for safeguarding concerns to be raised before it’s too late.

Social Media is extremely important to young people. Safeguard them by creating an environment where pupils are able to discuss their concerns, receive support and advice.

Joe Brewer

Online Safety Advisor
eAWARE