TakingITGlobal

V. Social Media and Communication Social media are online communication channels and platforms that work through global networks based on interaction and content sharing among people. They are uniquely interactive, instantaneously visible, and engaging, especially the most popular youth platforms like Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and Snapchat. However, schools and cities are not yet using these platforms to their full potential. Action points: ● Schools must teach students how social media can be used to spread awareness about key issues such as climate change. ● Schools must help students understand the power of social media as a tool for organizing events and networks in support of climate action. ● Schools must acknowledge and be able to educate students to differentiate between legitimate and illegitimate information available on social media. ● Cities must use social media as a means of connecting with youth, both to spread climate awareness about what cities are doing and also to hear from youth. Schools must teach students how social media can be used to spread awareness about key issues such as climate change. Currently, teachers do not sufficiently address the power of social media, but are instead restricting its use. With the scope of social media expanding every day, it is important that schools educate students how various platforms can be used to spread awareness about climate change. For instance, students could be encouraged to upload photographs of their environmental initiatives on Instagram, to access information about ongoing projects, and to use blogs as a way to express their opinions on climate change. Further, schools could address how social media can be used to share information about climate hazards and disasters, so that youth can immediately access support services when needed. Schools must help students understand the power of social media as a tool for organizing events and networks in support of climate action. Social media can be used as a platform that not only focuses on spreading awareness, but also acts as a platform that allows students to encourage, as well as participate in climate action. Social media enables active communication between local and international communities, including governments, organizations, schools, and companies. Social media overcomes some language and literacy barriers that limit the impact of traditional media in many communities, allowing us to expand our networks to more diverse populations. On Instagram, for instance, people's thoughts are often expressed in the form of photographs rather than in the form of heavy text. Additionally, Instagram and Facebook provide automatic translation, allowing messages to be spread further than if they were presented in print form, within a single language. Additionally, we can use hashtags and surveys to get people's attention and communicate with organizations to spread awareness. From campaigns and flash mobs, reforestation and waste management workshops, social media extends itself to a massive number of people. However, to use it to its full potential, schools must teach students how to use social media effectively as a tool for social engagement and transformation. 9

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