Week 6: Ephrem Uwalaka

 

Blog 6             Ephrem Uwalaka

Why should teachers care about digital literacy and childhood in the digital age? 

This blog will discuss aspects of “Sexualisation of Young People Review”, a Home Office paper on the impact of sexualisation of young people.

Botti (2014) reporting on research by Pew Research Centre, found in their surveys that in adult relationships text can mean trust; although most adults use social media profiles it found benefits of texting such as logistics. Texting is sometimes a lazy option, hence, a good medium for communications. The research said Racy text sext- sexting numbers are on the up, because they are easier and easier to send. People said they felt closer from receiving a text (Botti, 2014). This relational aspect appears on the surface as acceptable and romantic but the other end of the scale the BBC (27^th January 2014) often report on cases such as: MP moots smartphone ban for teen 'sexting' bullies-‘Sarah Wollaston said some teenagers were illegally sharing sexual images of other teenagers without their consent, which was "bullying and harassment" But she added: "I'm not in favour of criminalising children. “Instead, such cases should be dealt with swiftly out of court, she argued’. The thought of such depravity of perpetrators and imagined suffering of victims is often preferred to be ignored or forgotten about as if it does not go on, but as teachers we are pivotal in tackling such issues and defending moral ground just as the BBC (27^th January 2014) report pointed out:’

      "It's also critical to educate young people about the risks of sending intimate photographs. The Child Exploitation Online Protection Centre has developed a specific educational resource to tackle sexting, which is designed for use by teachers’.

Burns (5^th February 2014) highlights in her report the dangers young children are facing, from the NSPCC they say ‘We are facing an e-safety time bomb’ and the internet and mobile phones are in children’s everyday lives offering huge benefits but massive dangers. Children need to be taught how to differentiate the dichotomy and a body of people are calling for teaching to be started at 5 year olds. They are calling for e-safety lesson not just for children, but parents/carers also.

Dr Papadopoulos is a well-known psychologists held in the highest regard in the UK. She is often approached by the press and authority for her professional knowledge. In a publication review on sexualisation of young people which Papadopoulos conducted, the facts that sexualisation is a multi-factorial issue, emotional, and thwart with opinions and conjectures, a scientific objective approach was taken. Thus:

 

‘Behind the social commentary and the headlines about inappropriate clothing and games for children, there are the real statistics, on teenage partner violence, sexual bullying and abuse that need to be acknowledged and addressed’ (Papadopoulos, 2010:3).

Dr Papadopoulos (2010:4) stated, children have a natural sexual curiosity so we should acknowledge this and provide a safe, supportive and informative presentation of ‘gender and sexuality’ for them to grow a healthy, sexual and emotional understanding.

Sexual images are prevalent in today’s society but the message behind these images are stark reality of expectations, morals and acceptability, the effect has filtered lower and lower to young children and worse, their attitudes and regard for their peers (Papadopoulos, 2010). There exists a polarity between acceptable adult behaviour and unacceptable abusive behaviour by young people. This dichotomy is heightened by many causes but social media is the most accessible where abuse and inappropriate activity is most likely to happen on a regular basis with very little control by responsible adults or care givers (Papadopoulos, 2010).

‘Schools can help children develop the capacity to interpret and filter information and to recognise and value diversity. As such perhaps we need to consider the value of media literacy and gender studies and begin to see them as core to the curriculum we teach our children’(Papadopoulos, 2010:10)

This is a very brief look at a massive problem in emerging technology and our community. To answer the question of why as teachers, should we care about digital literacy and childhood in the digital age?  We are as teachers on the front line; we have a professional, moral, legal duty to act in the best way possible in protecting young children by fully applying e-safety and following the strict code of conduct and policies for computer use in whichever school we work in and in our own private lives. 

 

Bibliography

BBC News  (27^th January 2014)  ‘sexting’ bullies [online] http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-25917314   (Accessed on: 17/02/2014)

Botti, D. (11^th february 2014) Sexting BBC News [online]  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-26124982  (Accessed on: 19/02/2014)

Burns, L. (5^th February 2014) Internet safety lessons urged for 5 year olds. BBC News. [online] http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-21328411  (Accessed on: 19/02/2014)

Papadopoulos, L. (2010) Sexualisation of Young People Review Home Office (Executive Summary – link on LN) http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100418065544/http://homeoffice.gov.uk/documents/Sexualisation-young-people2835.pdf?view=Binary   (Accessed on: 20/02/2014)