Social Media Wellness

Social Media Wellness

Adult nonfiction
"The reality is that social media and related technology are
unlikely to go away but instead will continue to evolve. Over the
past fifteen years I've come to realize that we are having the wrong
conversations with our kids when it comes to social media and related
technology. We can't ignore our tweens' and teens' social media use,
and we need to resist talking about social media and online use from a
place of fear and misunderstanding. Our efforts will be more
effective if we can focus on helping the next generation to develop
better ways to organize their time online and in real life."
When it comes to the many books out there for parents concerned
about kids' involvement with social media, not all are created equal.
They range from the didactic to the more nuanced and flexible. Ana
Homayoun's Social Media Wellness is very much on the nuanced and
flexible side, so much so that I see it as immensely relevant for
student affairs professionals working with college students as well as
parents of trend and preteens.
The Internet and social media represent the biggest quantum leap
in communications technology since the one that enabled me to read and
review this volume--the printing press. Some see it as amazing grace;
others view it as the end of civilization as we know it. Homayoun
sees it as a tool with both promise and dangers. She frames Internet
conversations around three anchor points: socialization, self-
regulation, and safety.
"Socialization relates to how students treat others and
themselves, and how they can decide whether or not to engage or
disengage online (and in real life). Self-regulation refers to how we
can provide structure and guidance around compartmentalizing and
filtering the many potential online distractions that make it
difficult to complete work, and how we can build consistent
opportunities for reflection and single tasking (instead of
multitasking). Safety covers both personal safety as well as group
and community safety, and it focuses on physical safety in addition to
social and emotional safety..."
Homayoun describes herself as an accidental social media
expert. She started out as an educational consultant who helped
students gain more purpose and organization and better time management
and wellness. Over the past decade she noticed the increasing presence
of technology and social media in the classroom. So she researched
and developed insights that helped her reach students who were swamped
by a flood of distractions. She began giving talks to help teachers
and parents become fluent (or at least not illiterate) in the social
media "language." Social Media Wellness packages much of her insight
and wisdom in a form parents, teachers, and other concerned
professionals can consume at their own pace.
Another group of professionals who could really profit from the
book is current and future (like moi!) college student affairs
professionals. High school grads don't morph into instant adults in
the 2 1/2 month interlude between schools. A lot of them arrive,
struggling with over busy lives, to a place where pressures are ramped
up. There is no parental supervision. For some freshpeople it's the
first significant time away from home. There's more work and less
scaffolding. And welcome to the wonderful world of parties.
Actually adults can also use Homayoun's advice to improve our
own lives. Many of us, having added social media membership to
already full lives, run ourselves ragged, cutting down on sleep,
mindfulness, and other restorers of health. If this sounds anything
like you, I'd urge you to read the book.
On a personal note, my mentor, Jodi, has been helping me with the
annual electronic trainings necessary for me to keep my job. Last
week we went through a series of videos about sexual harassment in the
workplace narrated by Betsy Sweet, whom I have met in real, as well as
virtual, life. All week I saw Betsy in my dreams asking questions on
the topic. But at least I understood what she was talking about.
This week's was about Internet security and all the nasty things
scammers, phishers, and hackers (for whom Hell should have a special
ring) can do to you and your institution. Yikes! Not only is this
seriously scary stuff, but there were about a zillion terms I was
clueless about. Like cookies. I'm sure the ones they talked about
have nothing to do with the jam filled delicacies I'm so fond of.
Jodi is confident that I will master this brave new world. Since I
have to even use computers for homework I'll take her word for it. At
least I passed the quiz.
We are now less than 24 hours from the DRAG SHOW.
a great big shout out goes out to Jodi who is totally saving my life
(as in my chance to keep the job I love) by helping me meet this
challenge.
jules hathaway



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