UNcommon Sense: Street Light Curfew

As I have gotten older, I can't help but take note of how everyday life has changed since I was a student at Marlow Public Schools back in the 1970s & 80s. As a young boy, my mom and dad weren't able to track my movements or call me if they needed something. The parenting plan was basic back in those days. As long as I didn't crash my bike or break something, it was pretty easy to avoid getting into any real trouble. The big conversation my parents would have with me was simple: be home when the street lights come on.

Those were some good days. As I reflect back, there is something very interesting about everyone not knowing where I was or what I was doing all the time. I can hardly remember what it was like to be unavailable. It is difficult for today's students to understand what that is like. Today, their lives are, for the most part, a very open and public book. Add in social media, and now many people know exactly what they are doing and thinking... in real time. Student's words and actions are being recorded for permanent review by others. Think about the worst thing you ever did or said. Now think about someone having that recorded to share and do with whatever he/she wants. Does that bring a little feeling of anxiety? Now you know the pressures our students live under these days. This is why conversations about safe technology use is so important.

Students have an enormous burden when it comes to responsibly using the internet and social media. Not only can something a student does today be used by their peers against them, it can come back to haunt them in the future as well. More concerning, there are regular news stories where a young person thinks he/she is interacting with a student only to find out it is some sick adult trying to take advantage of them. Today, students are not only available to those around them, but also basically to anyone in the world.

The days of not knowing what kids are doing until the street light comes on are behind us. Today the stakes are as high as they have ever been. The outcomes for trouble are more than scrapped knees, broken windows, and prank phone calls like in my day. Today's opportunities to get into trouble have the potential for much worse outcomes. Parents and guardians having ongoing conversations about safe internet and social media use is imperative. The need for supervision and an open dialogue with students is vital. I'll concede it may be an uncomfortable discussion at times, but it is a conversation worth having.

Corey Holland is Superintendent of Marlow Public School District