You watched this video on Meta and you’re asking, “So what?” Here’s why it matters. The general approach to digital citizenship is likening social media to a tool. I’ve heard some describe it as a hammer. You can use it to build or destroy. We totally agree, but that’s just the tip of the proverbial iceberg.
Yes, it comes down to personal and parental responsibility. We can’t blame Mark Zuckerberg for what we do online. We are all accountable to the choices we make and actions we take. But… we must also understand that social media is not your everyday neutral inanimate tool.
Part of digital citizenship is knowing curtains that shroud these empires. Tech transparency for the rest of us... Keeping wizards honest and the public powerful.
This tool is owned and managed by corporations who value profit over people, who often reward destruction, and who design it… to be addictive. Not quite a simple tool, right? That’s why many news reports liken big tech to big tobacco. I have felt the compulsion to reach for my phone with a Pavlov’s dog-like reaction to notifications. I know the fixation on likes, comments, and endless scrolling. If four billion people on the planet have at least one social media account, I’m willing to bet I’m not alone.
Meta just announced new tools for Instagram to help parents, and I know that within these companies there are good people with noble intentions to connect the world. Much of social media is uplifting and rewarding. In a way it is morally ambiguous, but whether used for good or evil, this hammer is ALWAYS building… building their corporate empires.
We liken social media to a vehicle with very few safety features. There are no rules, roads, or signage to guide us. And we don’t quite know how it operates because we’re in the back seat. Our unique approach to digital citizenship puts you in the driver’s seat to navigate through the illusions of the online world.
We are committed to making many resources available (without ads!) to free subscribers. At the same time, we’re also putting a ton of time and energy into valuable online courses and content that will be exclusively accessible with paid subscriptions.
Our first online course is driver’s training for social media… perfect for teens AND adults (We’ll have a free preview for everyone coming soon).
The first of four modules for the social media course is nearly complete, and that first module will be available soon to monthly ($5/mo), annual ($49/yr), and “Behind the Curtains” ($99/yr) subscribers.
The rest of the modules are in development and will be available exclusively to “Behind the Curtains” subscribers, who will also have access to all future online courses for as long as they’re subscribed.
We’re confident that your investment in this course will open eyes, facilitate conversations, and help us all take back control.
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