Teaching Social Media Safety in Homeschool

If you have kids in upper elementary, you may have started thinking about the world of Big Tech: smart phones, social media apps, privacy, and cyber safety. Maybe you are hoping to teach tech literacy in your home, so that your kids can enter the world feeling informed and discerning, when the time comes for them to have an online presence of their own.

I’m sort of a “fly at 30,000 feet” kind of gal (hello, fellow Enneagram 1’s!). So, even though my oldest is only 10, and there is no smart phone or social media use planned anytime soon, I want to be prepared for what’s ahead of us.

Even though smart phones and social media are still many years away for us, my oldest two are aware of Instagram and other apps, since my husband and I use them. I often save funny or inspiring reels to show them. I’ve talked to them a bit about Instagram culture, but have never officially taught them the ins and outs.

In my last post on technology, I talked about a slow and steady method regarding tech: informing your kids slowly, but consistently, each year. Since our kids are in a world saturated with screens, I try to narrate and educate, rather than ignore the elephant(s) in the room. Our youngest is almost two, and we even speak to her about screens…in an age-appropriate way! It’s just simple things, like saying “just for grownups!” if she impishly tries to swipe my phone off the counter. Mostly though, we avoid the difficulty by keeping devices out of her reach and sight.

If this topic is new for you, check out my last post. I brainstormed 12 tech-related goals, for me AND my kids. These are things I’d like my kids to know, by the time they leave the nest.

I’d love my kids to recognize that technology is a tool, that can be used for great good, but also great evil. Learning moderation and best practices will help equip them to make their own tech-related decisions someday. I am hoping to lay the foundation now, and build a bit each year.

Social media safety, before social media use

If you’ve read any of my other posts, you probably know that I LOVE to create resources for homeschool families. I think of ideas on a daily basis-literally! I haven’t been able to find many standalone activities for tech literacy, or social media savviness, so I decided to make some!

Here is an example. I made this simple Instagram Analysis Template that anyone can use, completely free. (You can click on the photo above, or here, to download your free PDF). Right now, the template is versatile. You can use it over and over again, for any Instagram account. It is a great template!

Within the next few weeks, I will have a blogpost detailing how to explore various accounts on Instagram. I am working on a list of different example accounts. Parents & teachers will be able to use these types of accounts with the above activity! Here are ideas I have so far:

• Clickbait accounts, both positive and negative
• Popular influencer accounts in numerous categories
• Famous athletes
• Various celebrities
• Popular accounts amongst teens
• Musicians: both professional, and amateur
• News accounts
• Humor, Meme accounts
• Shopping

Learning about clickbait, influencers, and online marketing

You have have noticed that I wrote “clickbait: both positive and negative” as a sample concept, above. Clickbait can mean a variety of things, and I suppose, often the connotation is negative. When I think of clickbait, I usually think of something enticing. The name is true to its meaning- it is “bait” that piques curiosity or stirs emotion, prompting you to click on the link or photo to learn more.

I’m sure we have all come across some negative, harmful or ridiculous clickbait in our day! “Positive clickbait,” on the other hand, would be something like the Instagram account @jeffandlaurenshow. They create videos on a whole assortment of household, cooking, hosting, and arts/crafts hacks. They post extremely useful, inventive, and whimsical methods I have never thought of before! The reason I label them “clickbait” is because they (cleverly) post tempting words on their thumbnails, that entice you to watch their videos. A few examples would be:

“I wish I knew this sooner” (Simple sewing to shorten dress straps)

“I learned this from a baker!” (Beautiful Apple Rose Tarts)

“I can’t believe how well this worked!” (Adorable nature craft for kids)

“I learned this from a gardener!”

See what I mean? I kid you not-while I was writing this section of the blogpost, and scrolling through their feed to find good examples, I totally got hooked into watching more than I intended! It totally worked 😉

Additionally, while I was finding these sample links, I noticed another learning opportunity: THE COMMENT SECTION. Yikes. This Instagram account is one that posts helpful tips, and yet if you click on any comment section, it is filled with vitriol! People criticizing methods, blaming the couple for using toxic materials, you name it. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. But let’s teach our kids how to use words wisely, even (especially) online!

Instagram Comment Section Discussion in Homeschool

Here are some ideas to examine a comment section, with your kids:

• Do you think everyone uses their real name, online? Why or why not?
• Do people feel more brave, when they can post anonymously? What are the advantages or disadvantages to anonymity?
• Talk about the words “accountability” and “integrity,” as it relates to how we communicate and present ourselves online
• Is anything on the Internet actually private? (Remember, even our private accounts are not private from the companies who host them).
• Does anything on the Internet ever really go away?
• For faith-based homeschooling: What does the Bible say about our words? (See Proverbs 12:18, Proverbs 18:21, James 3:5-6, Proverbs 15:1 , Psalm 141:3)

Along these lines, I also think there is certain vocabulary that kids should know, when it comes to the online space. Here are some of the concepts I am going to be brainstorming about, in the coming months!

Outrage

Target market

Privacy

Engagement

Followers

Doom scrolling

…and many more! What would you add to this list?

I am excited to have a bit of a breather this summer, to have more time to create! Blogging and creating homeschool resources is edifying to me, and truly fills my cup. I wrote a blogpost last week, called How To Be The Best Homeschool Mom You Can Be. I wrote about rediscovering your “favorite things,” taking the cliche out of “self-care,” and about how unique each person is. Check it out if you need a little encouragement–especially as we near the end of the school year!

If you have any ideas for tech literacy, social media savviness, or other learning activities, send me a message! Otherwise, keep an eye on the blog, and my TPT storefront for more freebies and activities to do with your kids!

Cait