Vaping, social media safety, fake news, mind health and AI are the new lessons that pre-teens and teenagers now need as the world races into a tech-driven future.
Dean McCoubrey, founder of MySociaLife, an online safety platform dedicated to equipping teens and pre-teens with essential digital life skills, has recognised that these are a few of the challenges young people face today.
Recognising that education does not exist in a vacuum, McCoubrey says “if students, parents, and teachers each do just 15% better, we are collectively 45% better off. It truly takes a village.”
As schools and parents navigate the complexities of a changing education landscape, there is a growing recognition that students need more than traditional academic instruction.
They require tools and knowledge to thrive in a digital world, given the adoption of devices and the explosion of AI.
McCoubrey warns against waiting until it’s too late: “Largely, we get calls from schools when an incident has already happened. By then, it’s often too late. All of us adults have a responsibility to act now, providing the guidance our teens and pre-teens need to navigate these tricky areas of modern life.”
A holistic approach ensures that everyone involved in a child’s education is equipped to contribute positively to their digital well-being.
To help parents and teachers navigate through the minefield of social media McCoubrey has created a course with one-hour sessions that offers a relevant, and relatable approach to learning about the dangers of social media.
The course covers the following topics:
Social media
A comprehensive 60-minute lesson covering key topics, from online behaviour to digital etiquette.
Mental health and wellbeing
An exploration of the complexities of life online, providing tools for emotional regulation and self-care.
Vaping
A deep dive into the vaping trend, exposes the tactics of companies that target young people, health risks, and the influence of peer pressure.
AI
An introduction to artificial intelligence, its practical uses, and the importance of ethical technology use.
Privacy and cybersecurity
Strategies for protecting personal information across devices and applications, and insights into hacking trends and practical tips for staying secure online.
Sexting, sextortion and pornography
Exposing one of the fastest-rising risks to adolescents and revealing the risks.
Fake news
Techniques for identifying misinformation and distinguishing facts from falsehoods.
Gaming addiction and gaming fraud
An examination of how gaming (Roblox, Fortnite and more) can lead to addiction and exploitation, with advice on how to protect oneself.
IOL Lifestyle