How Students Can Safely And Effectively Create Content

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NASSAU, THE BAHAMAS – Most parents nationwide have finished their back-to-school shopping, having purchased all the necessary items for the upcoming school year.

However, have you discussed with them the advantages and disadvantages of social media?

Considering the increasing number of students active on these platforms, I recently consulted with a media expert regarding how students can effectively use this tool.

Last academic year, a gold chain featuring a large coin pendant, along with sharply cut hairstyles and impeccably ironed clothing, became a regional trend on social media.

This phenomenon highlighted Bahamian students.

And as the year progressed, more videos displaying the local school experience garnered a considerable amount of views, particularly on TikTok.

Upon viewing these videos, it became evident to me that there has been an evolution in local school culture regarding the use of cellphones.

Recently, I had a conversation with a media veteran with over 20 years of experience and a former classroom teacher, Bodine Victoria Johnson, about this subject.

“My take as a media professional is that we are able to kind of canonize our lives and curate or cultural experiences and I think that’s a positive thing. I do think that there’s a fine line between it becoming a distraction versus a learning tool and the opportunity to share that cultural experience with others. “ – Bodine Johnson

In the past, the presence of cellular or recording devices on campus was prohibited.

Nevertheless, it appears that this policy has evolved.

Johnson asserts that as students delve into their talents in content creation, it is essential to maintain a certain standard.

“The school is a brand and you would want to be able to reflect the brand standards of the school as expressed in the guidelines.” – Bodine Johnson

She articulated that this new era has the potential to yield benefits, yet she also emphasizes the drawbacks.

She advises students to share age-appropriate content and to ensure it does not become a distraction.

Although 13 is the legal minimum age for account creation on most platforms, child development specialists suggest waiting until at least 14 or 15.

Johnson concurs.

“I do agree personally that to twelve to fourteen is a little bit too young for you to have a presence online simply because you’re opening yourself up to a number of different things like scrutiny of the internet, you make mistakes on the way that you say things the way that you interact with others and the internet is not the best and safest place for you to get grace and support.It also has on the other hand the ability to bring light to situations that a lot of students share. There’s good and bad to it”– Bodine Johnson