From the Principal’s Desk, 16 October 2020

Dear Parents

“SOCIAL NETWORKS”

In 1969, a few professors from three California universities created the first communications network called the ARPANET. This would be the precursor of what we know today as the INTERNET. Since then, the growth in the number of users has risen exponentially, reaching more than 4.5 billion in this year 2020.

Today you can find on the “network” multiple services developed on different protocols such as email, instant messaging, online video games, education and communication platforms, or popular social networks, among others.

The recent pandemic caused by COVID – 19, has in many cases forced teleworking, proving a new normal way of living and communicating with the rest of the world. The use of global platforms for the acquisition of consumer goods over the Internet and the massive development of social networks such as Facebook with 2.45 billion users, YouTube with 2 billion, Instagram with 1.1 billion or TikTok with more than 850 million has also increased, just to name the most popular and widespread.

Today our world’s reality is very different from that of a few years ago, we can ask ourselves a series of questions:

– Do these technological devices or the algorithms that manage these applications cause addiction?
– Does the excessive use of social networks have negative effects on mental health?
– Are the big companies behind social networks using our personal data in a disinterested way?
– Is our consumption and life habits being influenced by controlling the use we make of social networks?
– Are massive amounts of data being manipulated to influence our citizens’ decisions in politics, life choices, hobbies, etc.?

These and other questions have complex answers.

As responsible educators, at Blouberg International we are concerned that our students may be making the wrong use of social networks and digital applications. We are convinced that benefits can be obtained, but there are also risks. We believe that parents and educators must do everything possible so that our students can take advantage of technological advances to have optimal personal, physical and mental development, but more importantly have them know how to discern between the positive and the negative in the world around them.

Recently, the Netflix platform has included in its offer the documentary “The Social Dilemma”. We believe it is a very interesting film and recommend students over the age of 14 to watch it. It will allow them to better understand how these and other networks interact with them as social network users, but of course, this being not a program specifically designed for schools, it must be you, their parents who decide at your own discretion whether or not it is convenient for them to watch it.

In 2019 we hosted Emma Sadlier from the Digital Law Company to address parents and students about the dangers of social media.  We hope to have a follow up on the talk she had with us and would like to encourage you to attend when we host the next session with her.

Have a wonderful weekend ahead.

Best regards
Edna