mentoring youth in the digital age

Mentoring Youth in the Digital Age

Goal of Session:To provide better understanding of the risks

and rewards of social media in the mentoring relationship.

Short Course – UMass Boston

Definition of Social Media

Forms of electronic communication through which

users create online communities to share information, ideas,

personal messages, and other content.

What does this mean to you?

What do ou know?

Apple

App Store

Angel List Dribbble

Foursquare

Instagram

TwitterTumblrPinterest QuoraLinkedIn

VineVimeo

Facebook

YelpWindows

Google +GitHub Google Play

What has the research found?•8 hours per day average•African American & Latino – 4.5 hours more/day•93% age 12-17 are online•87% have one video console•Digital divide has narrowed•Research obsolete

Fears about Social Media•Moral panic •Safety•Separate online persona

Disembodies UsersPsychological

DistanceAnonymity

Perspective•Social media is a tool

•Educate to keep safe

•Anonymity more difficult

•Online selves mirror offline

selves

Sexuality Identity Intimacy Autonomy

Pyschosocial Tasks

What are the risks/rewards?• Psychosocial Tasks• Safety• Ethical Implications

Social Media & TeamMates

Central Office has Facebook, Twitter blog and website. Chapters/Individuals do not have permission to publicize images/content. Facebook friending is not allowed. Parent permission – text/email.

Resources:New mentor training manualConfidentiality formSocial Media Policy

What is the mentor’s role?• Face Time•Guidance• Education - Role - Sleep - Brain

Development - Digital Literacy

Critical Thinking Skills

Ethical Considerations• Is this in the best interest of the mentee?•What are the rules/expectations?•What right/role do the parents have?•What right does the mentee have?•How will it enhance or diminish the relationship?•What level of digital competency?

• Privacy & Confidentiality• Cultural groups have different perspectives about digital communication• Do all mentee have equal access?

Difficult SituationsWhen difficult situations arise, what do you do?

ResourcesLearning

Khan Academy• Mostly for learning math and science. Short videos and interactive quizzes.

Bing/Microsoft Educator Network • Learnings related to the always beautiful Bing background of the day.

Coursera• Lots of classes from high school to master's level.  It's sometimes fun to

just watch the videos

VSauce • YouTube channel of a guy that raises interesting questions.

Coding •Hour of Code - Probably the best way to start learning to code.•Scratch - Kids can make videos, games, and anything else imaginable.•Tynker - More challenge focused Scratch.•Codecademy - More advanced.•Our blog post

Building a website•Google Sites - Super simple way to create a site.  

Making games•Kodu Game Lab - Really fun way to make visually stunning games for PC and XBox.

Resources

Closing

• Questions/Suggestions?

• What is one thing you will take away or implement?