From Respect to Fear: Teacher-Student Dynamics in the Social Media Era

The old respect-based teacher-student relationship has changed. Social media empowered students, allowing them to share information, opinions, and even potentially embarrassing content about teachers. This power imbalance has created challenges in the learning environment.

"Teacher shares his experience with a student's who posted an embarrassing video of him online. "WALA KANG BINABASTOS AT IPINAHIHIYA PERO ITO ANG SUKLI", The Facebook post of a teacher calling on parents to cooperate in disciplining their children is now viral, following a student's apparent disrespect and disregard for their teachers."

- Briones, Mart Jemson D.

"While social media offers valuable connection for teachers and students, its misuse has led to negativity. Students' dominance in promoting negative comments has created pressure and uncertainty for teachers. Instead, let's use social media to recognize their work and prevent them from feeling unvalued."

- Baun, Jecam C.

DepEd's new rule restricts teachers' interactions with students outside school and online, impacting my connections with my teachers.

 

"I wonder how this affects others and how we can still build strong bonds under this policy. Could there be alternative ways to connect and build positive relationships while adhering to the new guidelines?"

- Banag, Patricia Zyrene Mae V.

"Students' disrespectful behavior towards teachers online, through photos and comments, has become a growing concern. This behavior undermines the crucial student-teacher relationship and disregards the sacrifices educators make daily. We must address this issue by promoting online etiquette and creating a culture of respect for educators, recognizing their vital role in shaping future generations."

- Macaraeg, Marjorie Joy P.

"I saw a Facebook post from a teacher expressing concern about the changing dynamics of teacher-student relationships. They noticed a decline in student respect for teachers, which they found to be a common concern among their colleagues. They attributed this lack of respect to students feeling superior in knowledge and unaware of boundaries, making it difficult to be an educator."

- Villasan, Kimberly Kate G.

"I was shocked by a student's disrespectful social media post, I see a growing trend: lack of respect for teachers. In contrast to earlier days where teachers were revered, some students today disregard boundaries and disrespect educators, hindering learning environments. We must remember their sacrifices and give them the respect they deserve!"

- Deblois, Joanarie B.

"Cultivate digital etiquette through education, communication, and clear guidelines. Empower teachers, engage parents, and leverage student-led campaigns to promote respect and shared responsibility for a positive online environment."

- Ong, Nill Ivan Rei B. 

Here are some solutions:

• Open discussions: Encourage open dialogue about responsible social media use and digital etiquette.  

• Empathy education: Integrate empathy into the educational framework to foster understanding and respect.

• Clear guidelines: Establish clear expectations and guidelines for online behavior and social media use. 

• Positive digital citizenship: Promote positive digital citizenship and responsible online behavior. 

• Social media for learning: Utilize social media platforms for positive engagement and learning.

 

By implementing these strategies, we can overcome the challenges of the digital age and build a brighter future for education. Let's work together to create a positive and productive learning environment for all:

• Start conversations about social media use. 

• Organize workshops or events on the topic. 

• Encourage responsible and respectful online behavior.