Should Schools Educate the Parents Too?

The worsening behavioral problems of a number of children have alarmed middle and high school authorities. Some officials believe that some of these are expressions of how these children behave online. Schools are looking for help from professionals who know the anatomy of the problem. They see that it cannot be solved if the school works alone. The home must work collaboratively with the school because parents play a crucial role in correcting the problem. It is good that many schools are working with private organizations who can educate parents about safety and literacy in the digital world.

What used to be limited to online behavior among children is no longer true as realized now, by many schools. There is no longer a difference between how children behave online and their behavior with peers in the real world. For sure, harassment against other students that is done online will surely extend offline, most probably on the school campus. This adds to the list of problems of the school administration. This kind of problem could have been averted if parents lived up to their obligations. Through their parents, children should get their first education on internet literacy and safety. Sad to say, very few parents today are capable of doing this.

Parents seem to be incapable of educating their children about the internet. They leave their children alone without rules. If ever there are rules, they are both unrealistic and inconsistent. They believe that teachers are the ones who should instruct children about the internet and its dangers. The usual reason they give for believing this is their fear of the technology involved. Parents think it is enough for them to know that their children are using Facebook, but they are uninformed on how their children use it. Some of the problems that schools encounter today have their roots in this way of thinking.

Some schools took the initiative to begin a school-parents partnership. Educating the parents on internet safety and media literacy is the first step. They should know how their children’s behavior online can also manifest to the actual world. They should speak with their children and together set age-appropriate rules. If the home does not reinforce school efforts, the problem cannot be solved. Hence, there is a need for a partnership that is based on a common understanding and purpose.

Patience is needed to see results, and time is of the essence. This will be difficult for children, especially for those who already got used to not having rules set. The length of waiting for results depends on the child’s motivation and cooperation. But, the good news is that it has already started. Parents and children just need to be open with one another and supported by an appropriate school program.

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