Sometimes, I use my blog as a space to reflect on what I experience in order to make sense of it. This is one of those times.
I have been watching the #NeverAgain movement over the past week. I am always reluctant to share anything overly political; especially when it comes to American politics, because I know that as an outsider things look simplistic when indeed they may be very complicated.
So politics aside, I want to focus on what I see as the epitome of what I mean by student digital leadership in Social LEADia. The students who are leading the movement are indeed using the vast reach of technology and social media to improve the lives, well-being, and circumstances of others (Couros 2013)–in this case any future schools who will go through what they are going through. They are using their voices and leading change. They are doing this in person, but they are also leveraging social media networks to mobilize support and even funds.
Regardless of your political affiliations, we need to acknowledge that this group of students are succeeding in using their voices to stand up for a cause about which they care deeply and emotionally.
As adults, why do we bristle? It may be because we don’t truly believe that students have the confidence or ability to lead. How can they possibly know what to do? They are just kids; adults must be behind this.
I know this to be untrue. I know it because I have met students who are changing their world and the world of others.
In Social LEADia, I feature Mari Copeny (@LittleMissFlint), who kept the #FlintWaterCrisis in the consciousness of people even after the headlines stopped reporting about it. I also feature Joshua Williams and Braeden Quinn and their conviction to stomp out hunger at very young ages and into their teenage years. Wizard Ayush, a 15 year old Indian boy who is so passionate about the UN’s sustainable development goals that he created @SDGsforChildren. Wizard reminds us that age does not matter when it comes to leadership. And I can’t help but agree.
What can we do?
As adult mentors, let’s make sure that we comport ourselves on and offline with a lens of empathy and perspective taking: that we may disagree with an idea, but that we model how we expect others (kids and adults) to behave online.
I for one will continue to respond positively to the kids who are taking a risk to express their passion for a cause about which they are truly convicted. I will be mindful of the grief and suffering they have experienced. I will report any inappropriate or hostile behaviour I see towards any of these students.
I think there is another important aspect to this. We have spent very little time in school helping students to respond to each other respectfully online. Although rich in literacy potential, have we helped students consider multiple perspectives or seek clarification on their social media posts? We tell them what NOT to do, but don’t actually allow them the opportunity to use those communication skills under our guidance. And so, the other thing I will do is respond to kids who are lashing out in inappropriate ways online and help them to reflect on their choices.
Peace,
Jen