The Federation of Parents and Citizens Associations and social networking experts say there is a desperate need for use of social media to be taught in the classroom.
One school counsellor said she saw a case of cyberbullying at least once a day and often police have to be called.
Thomas Tudehope, a director of social media intelligence firm SR7, has called for social networking skills, online etiquette and role-playing to be taught in the classroom.
Mr Tudehope’s call has been backed by the P&C, which says parents and often teachers lack the skills to know what’s happening among children online.
“A social media ‘module’ should be introduced into the national curriculum as a matter of urgency,” he said.
“The lack of adequate social media education is glaringly obvious as each week brings a new social media ‘scandal’ reverberating throughout the web and mainstream media.”
Writing in today’s Daily Telegraph, Mr Tudehope says classes should make use of scenario-based exercises that address issues around cyber bullying, internet safety, privacy and online etiquette.
The P&C said it supported the proposal “absolutely” and schools desperately needed “a space for students to receive some instruction in the use of Facebook and other communications technologies”.
“I would say the vast majority of the teaching profession are not in a position to give that instruction,” spokesman David Giblin said.
“There’s got to be some training. There has been a woeful ignorance by the people who use social media sites, both young and old, about how to protect yourself.”
Mr Giblin said he was aware of existing police-monitored role-playing scenarios in which students ignored warning signs and willingly engaged online with strangers who turned out to be paedophiles.
Education Minister Adrian Piccoli is on leave and could not be reached. The Department of Education said schools were unable to control Facebook and that access to social networking sites via school computers is blocked.
Article posted by Joe Hildebrand on The Daily Telegraph
