Parents Reminded of Pitfalls of Social Media, Technology

Whether it's putting up inappropriate posts on Facebook or Twitter, "sexting" on phones or kids messaging strangers, Bernards Schools Superintendent Nick Markarian has issued a reminder to district parents to be aware of the pitfalls of personal technology in the hands of students.

The email, sent out as a special Friday Folder, asked parents to talk to their children and to help eliminate opportunities for the potential harm that could come of a potent mixture of young people faced with making instant decisions about snapping photos, recording a video, placing a call or text and more.

"A wide variety of modern equipment, software, websites, digital content and apps can create unfortunate circumstances when mixed with young people," the email noted. "The fact is that technology puts a lot of power into our hands and the hands of our children," Markarian noted in the email.

Since early in 2012, Bernards Township has been among those school districts that allow students to BYOT — Bring Your Own Technology — to use for online educational purposes at Ridge High School and at the William Annin Middle School.

Markarian added this week that his email reminder was not prompted by any particular problem with misuse of technology in township schools.

In response to a question, Markarian said on Tuesday that issues with technology in Bernards schools are, "Nothing more than what might be considered normal, but I just like to ask for help now and again as preventive medicine."

Markarian added that he did not have data as of early this week — which is spring break in Bernards schools — on what percentage of students might be participating in BYOT.

The email says that educators in the district and all around the state often share experiences in order to help solve problems regarding students' well being. "One area where the challenges seem to be growing exponentially is in the realm of technology."

While technology provides a wealth of instructional tools, devices for enriching educational experiences, and access to literally a world of information through the Internet, school districts also are coping with "unfortunate circumstance" regarding some students' decisions for how to use social media and technology, the email said.

At previous board meetings and presentations, school officials and experts have discussed how messages and images sent can also fall into the realm of "cyber-bullying."

The school recently held an Internet safety night aiming to provide parents with information and resources to understand those technology-related issues, Markarian said. At that time the school resource officer and district anti-bullying specialist, covered a range of topics, including a discussion of some strategies to use with children, he said.

"We appreciate your support in talking to your children about these important issues," Markarian said in the email.

Each of the potential problems listed also included suggestions and ways or websites that parents can use to address childrens' misuse of technology and social media.

For example, when discussing Twitter, a social media platform that can be completely open to public scrutiny, the potential for problems are great when inappropriate or bullying tweets are sent.

"Remind your children how easily their behavior may be recorded or photographed and distributed without their knowledge — be aware."

Older students also should be reminded that colleges and potential employers might ask to review online profiles.

The school experts also advised, "Ask your child what apps/sites they are using [and] view your child's online accounts. Learn how to navigate these sites/apps yourself."

The advice in the email also urged parents to set curfews for time spent online, so that students are now up at all hours.

Additional strategies and potential pitfalls were discussed in the email.