Inside a New Partnership to Help Schools Keep Students Safe Online – EdSurge

Report on Enhancing Online Safety in Schools through Social Media Partnerships Aligned with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

Schools are increasingly confronted with challenges stemming from students’ online activities, including digital distractions, cyberbullying, and exposure to harmful content. Educators often lack the necessary tools and authority to effectively intervene. In response, a social media platform has initiated a partnership program with schools to foster safer online environments and establish responsive reporting systems. This initiative aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).

Key Stakeholders and Perspectives

• Antigone Davis, Global Head of Safety at Meta, integrates youth development and public policy to address online safety challenges.
• Dr. Kevin Martin, Principal at Parkway Northeast Middle School, Missouri, focuses on creating inclusive, academically rigorous, and emotionally safe environments, emphasizing the impact of technology on student development and school culture.

Program Overview and Objectives

Motivation and Goals

1. Address difficulties schools face in managing online student behavior.
2. Equip educators to support safe, responsible, and enriching online experiences for youth.
3. Implement youth protective defaults and provide pathways for educators to report and manage harmful online behavior.

Program Components

• Teen Experience on Instagram: Designed to ensure safe, age-appropriate use with automatic built-in protections.
• School Partnership Program: Developed with ISTE+ASCD support to enable educators to report safety issues, including bullying, for expedited review and removal.
• Educational Resources: Research-informed lessons and materials for students, parents, and teachers to promote responsible digital citizenship.
• Child Safety Curriculum: A free curriculum developed in partnership with child safety organizations to help middle schoolers identify and respond to online exploitation.
• Workshops and Community Engagement: Collaboration with national caregiver and teacher organizations to provide practical guidance and support at local school events.

Impact on School Communities

Improvements in School Environment

• Integration of partnership resources into Technology Parent Advisory Boards.
• Enhanced communication with caregivers regarding digital safety.
• Implementation of phone-free policies leading to increased student engagement and reduced online bullying.
• Empowerment of staff to address online issues effectively.
• Development of a collective culture of awareness and responsibility around digital safety.

Benefits for Educators and Students

1. Access to direct reporting tools for quicker escalation and resolution of harmful social media content.
2. Improved capacity to maintain safe and focused learning environments.
3. Support for students in making informed and courageous choices online.

Challenges and Technological Innovations

Pressing Challenges

• Persistent concerns about bullying and harmful online behavior.
• Need for timely and effective responses to disruptive digital content.

Innovative Solutions

• Use of artificial intelligence to detect and discourage unkind comments before posting.
• Features enabling teens to switch off notifications and manage screen time, promoting mental well-being.
• Collaborative development of tools with educators to ensure relevance and effectiveness.

Recommendations and Future Directions

Advice for Schools

• Engage proactively in partnership programs to access support and resources.
• Adopt comprehensive policies that go beyond banning devices to include developmentally appropriate digital citizenship education.
• Foster collaboration between schools, families, and technology companies to create safer online environments.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

• SDG 4 (Quality Education): Enhancing digital literacy and responsible online behavior among students.
• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): Promoting mental health through reduced cyberbullying and healthier screen time habits.
• SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions): Strengthening safe, inclusive, and accountable digital spaces in educational settings.

For more information about joining the Instagram School Partnership Program, visit about.instagram.com/community/educators. To access the ISTE+ASCD digital citizenship lessons, visit iste.org/digital-citizenship-lessons.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article discusses mental health concerns related to online bullying and harmful content affecting students’ emotional safety.
2. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • Focus on creating safe, inclusive, and academically rigorous environments.
   • Development of digital citizenship education and resources for students, teachers, and parents.
3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • Efforts to reduce violence and bullying in schools and online.
   • Promotion of safe and inclusive societies through partnerships and reporting mechanisms.
4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • Collaboration between social media companies, schools, and organizations to create safer online environments.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.4: Promote mental health and well-being by addressing online bullying and harmful digital content.
2. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • Target 4.7: Ensure all learners acquire knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including digital citizenship and online safety education.
3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates, including bullying and online harassment in schools.
   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels, reflected in responsive reporting and intervention systems.
4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships to support sustainable development, as seen in the collaboration between Meta, schools, and organizations.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicators related to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being)
   • Reduction in reported cases of online bullying and harmful content among students.
   • Student emotional well-being and engagement levels in school.
2. Indicators related to SDG 4 (Quality Education)
   • Number of students and educators accessing and using digital citizenship educational resources.
   • Improvement in students’ responsible online behavior and digital literacy.
3. Indicators related to SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions)
   • Number and speed of reports of harmful social media content reviewed and removed.
   • Decrease in school disruptions caused by online bullying or harmful posts.
   • Level of empowerment and confidence among staff and parents to address online safety issues.
4. Indicators related to SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)
   • Number of schools participating in partnership programs with social media platforms.
   • Frequency and quality of collaboration events, workshops, and training sessions for educators and caregivers.

4. SDGs, Targets and Indicators Table

Source: edsurge.com