Reflection on an ethical issue connected to digital communication.
By looking at Rolfe et al.’s (2001) ethical decision making model (which has 3 parts) I will reflect upon an ethical issue that I have knowledge of, how the situation developed and what happened after the fact.
Rolfe et al.’s (2001) asks simply "what is the problem?" The situation I am reflecting on is when a twelve year old girl made a bad decision that would affect her time at school and her mental state. The girl in question made the decision to text a compromising picture of herself to a boy she liked. Unfortunately the boys’ sister somehow got hold of the phone. The girls in questions were part of the same group of friends but for unknown reasons (she still does not know why she sent the pic) she sent the photo on to other friends. Within 1 night the girls’ entire class had received the same message of the compromising picture. The looks and comments she received the next day (including from her best friends) were very demoralising to her. She left the school and didn’t return for over a week until the girls’ parents and teacher found out what had happened. This happened when the teacher phoned the parents to see where and how the child was.
The girls teacher in conjunction with the Principal and school councillor called many meetings. Firstly with the girl and her parents, then with the girl who sent on the photo (with parents). Next was a meeting with the class, and then a meeting with all parents from the class. The discussion was the same with all, about parents making sure they know what their children are doing, and going over the expectations of children being good digital citizens and looking after themselves when using their digital technology, and speaking up when they know something is not right.
The only good thing from the situation
was that the picture somehow did not go any further than the class. This does
not alleviate the problems the girl was going through at the time but it could
have been so much worse.
So what?
I believe that the teacher and the school handled the situation with aplomb. It is not something you would usually have to deal with previously at the intermediate level but in today’s age of technology, it is important for all involved to be aware of what children are doing on devices. This situation was a clear example of how students need to be taught and shown beforehand the consequence of putting personal information (personal pictures) out there. Another issue that came from this is what about students who do not do anything including speaking up when they know something is not right.
Now what?
The girl in question was given continual counselling support to help her through what was a trying time. For any situation there must be continual communication between parents and teacher/school. All parties involved are responsible for the physical and emotional safety of their children throughout a day, a month, and a year. Parents and teachers need to keep a close eye on what their children are doing with devices.
Reference
Education Council. (2017). Our Code Our Standards.Retrieved from: https://educationcouncil.org.nz/sites/default/files/Our%20Code%20Our%20Standards%20web%20booklet%20FINAL.pdf
Rolfe, G., Freshwater, D. and Jasper, M. (2001). Critical reflection in nursing and the helping professions: a user’s guide. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
So what?
I believe that the teacher and the school handled the situation with aplomb. It is not something you would usually have to deal with previously at the intermediate level but in today’s age of technology, it is important for all involved to be aware of what children are doing on devices. This situation was a clear example of how students need to be taught and shown beforehand the consequence of putting personal information (personal pictures) out there. Another issue that came from this is what about students who do not do anything including speaking up when they know something is not right.
Now what?
The girl in question was given continual counselling support to help her through what was a trying time. For any situation there must be continual communication between parents and teacher/school. All parties involved are responsible for the physical and emotional safety of their children throughout a day, a month, and a year. Parents and teachers need to keep a close eye on what their children are doing with devices.
Reference
Education Council. (2017). Our Code Our Standards.Retrieved from: https://educationcouncil.org.nz/sites/default/files/Our%20Code%20Our%20Standards%20web%20booklet%20FINAL.pdf
Rolfe, G., Freshwater, D. and Jasper, M. (2001). Critical reflection in nursing and the helping professions: a user’s guide. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
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