Somerset Times

The COVID-19 pandemic has upended the normal rhythms of life around the globe.

Schools, businesses and even places of worship have had to close their doors as millions of people shelter at home to lower the rate of infections. 

In the midst of all this, Americans have gone online to stay connected with friends and family members, find entertainment and express themselves as the virus keeps us physically apart. 

With the COVID-19 pandemic erasing a third of the school year for our children, educational leaders are fretting over how the lost class time can be “made up.” 

What is being overlooked is that the experience may also allow schools to evaluate current trends in education and to pave the way for new educational practices to be tested. Having a well-trained, creative teacher in the classroom will still, be indispensable. 

However, technology can provide information and processes for students to interact with our modern curriculum, but learning has always been a social process of comparing new information with what is already known and experienced, which in current times is being done through many online platforms. We’re learning that the trend toward using technology to improve learning is not in the future anymore. 

We have also learned that putting the needed technology into the hands of all students comes at an extremely high cost.  In ways large and small, the online platforms that we enjoy are playing a critical role in an unprecedented time. But with expanded use comes greater responsibility for platforms to provide users with clear online protections that enhance digital wellness.  With COVID-19 forcing young students to learn online, opening up more time on Internet-connected devices, the need to understand how to keep kids safe is paramount. 

The popular video app, TikTok, is rising to that challenge, recently announcing new and meaningful measures to protect its younger users as it works to become the world leader in promoting a safe, transparent, and positive online environment. To better support families on their digital journey, TikTok has partnered with leading organizations including the Family Online Safety Institute, ConnectSafely, and the National PTA to determine what app features should be made available to users based on age. 

On April 15, TikTok announced that it would limit its direct messaging feature to users who are 16 or older. Those who are under that threshold will no longer be able to send or receive direct messages but will still be able to post and share comments. And unlike other social platforms, this app never permits images or videos to be sent in comments or messages. These tangible commitments to digital safety and wellness should coincide with families learning about digital literacy and discussing good online behavior together. 

Transparent community guidelines are needed to clarify the rules with younger users will help them understand how they can be positive digital community members.