training
The case of a 10-year-old boy blackmailed by an Internet acquaintance and then even raped shows once again the dangers of the digital world. In order for children and young people to be prepared for this, since this year there has been one hour a week of the compulsory subject “Basic digital education” from the fifth to the eighth grade.
Once again it shows how important this lesson is, because requests from strangers are not uncommon on social media. “I haven’t had any bad experiences so far. However, I’ve already heard from some colleagues that unknown people added them to Snapchat and that they were also sent nude photos,” says a student at Dornbirn-Schoren Gymnasium.
Exactly these experiences and dangers are spoken of at school. Sabine Wörndle teaches “Basic Digital Education” at Dornbirn-Schoren High School. This subject teaches everything from building a computer to Internet security. “It starts with creating a secure password, what happens to my data, or how a network like this actually works. In second grade, social media is added, where we really get into danger. But we also tackle the interesting things about social media, “explains Wörndle.
Don’t always threaten bans
Children and teens are given tablets for lessons. Many functions are blocked, but children have already figured out how to get around it. They are also pushing their limits on social media. “If WhatsApp is blocked due to limited screen time, just text friends on Snapchat,” says one student.
That’s why it’s also important that parents accompany the children well, says teacher Sabine Wörndle. “Many parents just turn their child off when they use the iPad. It is important to really look at who the child is writing to. But you shouldn’t always threaten bans, but also ask why children like being on social media so much, and maybe then you can find a compromise, “says Wörndle.
The various competitions that young people are encouraged to do on TikTok should also be discussed. Meanwhile, this always happens in the classroom, in all types of subjects, says Wörndle.
