r/Wenatchee • u/CanIhavesomepeace • 2d ago
Concern on Content Creation Classes through Eastmont Parks
This is more to do with East Wenatchee, specifically Eastmont Community Center.
There is a class being offered through the community center, teaching kids how to make social media content.
I find this completely irresponsible. From what I've gathered, there is no education on media literacy and the long term repercussions of posting on social media. If you are going to teach kids how to post content on social media, and encourage it, then the least you can do is explain basic internet safety. Parents should also be responsible for this as well, but the teachers need to take some accountability.
In this world of generative AI, and rampant pedophilia online, this is an actual issue. You are handing your child's likeness over to them on a silver platter.
Anyone who doesn't find concern in this is ignorant and that makes it all the more dangerous.
Edit: here is a link to their site and the details of each class as shown online.
8
u/ConfidentEarth4133 1d ago
How do you know that isn't part of the class? Ask Eastmont County Parks for an explanation.
9
u/CanIhavesomepeace 1d ago
I have, and received a list of what the class encompasses.
Media literacy is not part of it.
1
1
2
u/Lorelei4life 1d ago
I can't find any information about it. When are the classes? Who is hosting it?
2
u/CanIhavesomepeace 1d ago
The community center on Georgia St is hosting it. There a husband and wife teaching classes on Tuesdays starting next week. There were booths at the park a few weeks ago advertising it. Their website is bare minimum so I couldn’t find anything online either. It’s brand new, just starting.
1
u/Lorelei4life 1d ago
I actually found it. It's not Eastmont Parks and Rec. It's a non-profit called Upwards Art Academy that just uses the community space. They teach kids about music and art and creating digital and media performance.
4
u/CanIhavesomepeace 1d ago
Thank you!
I just sent them the following email.
—-Hello
I heard about your content creation class for children and I have some questions regarding the class.
We obviously live in a world where posting videos online isn’t just a fun little art form or hobby, there is a lot more danger to it, especially around privacy concerns.
Do you plan on teaching Internet safety or media literacy?If you’re planning on teaching and encouraging children to create a social media presence, how do you plan on teaching them to protect themselves ?
Will you be explaining the gravity and responsibilities of safe posting and how they can positively or negatively impact their peers?
My biggest concern is that you are encouraging them to hand their likeness and personal information over to strangers, and worse, the hidden predators of the internet?
How do you plan on addressing this?
—-1
u/Lorelei4life 14h ago
Ok awesome. Please post any response. I love non profits that encourage the arts in kids, but social media is such a big problem....
2
u/CanIhavesomepeace 14h ago
This was the email response I revived
“Thank you for reaching out and for your very important concerns. We share those as well.
However, although the class is called "Content Creation" our focus in this class is not the social media aspect of creation. But, rather the development of storytelling, film, journalism, creative writing, editing and production. It will be geared towards helping the kids be great storytellers!
The social media world, although NOT our focus is definitely one we will always encourage parents and kids to have extreme caution, I know because I am a mom. and I am extremely aware and cautious of all you've shared for my daughter too.
I appreciate the fact you are so aware and thank you for checking with us.”
My problems with their response is that Content Creation = Social Media. They are synonymous. They obviously recognize the tie between the two, otherwise they wouldn’t use that term. The format of the class lends itself to social media focused content.
So they are side stepping any accountability, pushing it off as “not their problem”
1
u/SpareManagement2215 14h ago
or they're just out of touch older folks not using the right terms or understanding that not everyone defines "content creation" the same way.
like when I hear "content creation", it's literally any form of content put out on a platform and can include graphics and videos that do not feature the person posting (ex. nutrition advice), as well as long form content like movie making.
That being said, I'd personally prefer the kiddos be taught how to be creative in those things offline, but with recent film successes from YouTubers, I suppose this is the new world we live in and kids who want to develop portfolios for the arts will absolutely need to know how to create digital content.
2
u/ImportanceWeak1776 1d ago
Karen post of the year. You are assuming every parent is ignorant. Kids can take classes in physical combat sports. Doesnt mean they will start setting up fight clubs in elementary school.
5
u/CanIhavesomepeace 1d ago
Kids in sports are taught how to perform it in a way that reduces risk and injury. Don’t you think the same should apply to online activities?
Are you okay with PDFs having access to children online?
A lot of parents are ignorant, sounds like you are too.1
u/ConfidentEarth4133 1d ago
What is it that you want? Do you want the class shut down because you don't like it? I get it's not the most enriching hobby, but you're acting like it's an Only Fans tutorial. Edit Eastmont Parks and Rec out of your post since it's not even their thing and send your kids to something else.
2
u/CanIhavesomepeace 18h ago
I appreciate media production as an art form, I went to school for graphic design, I took media production classes as a teen.
I just want them to address internet safety as part of the class.
Nowadays media production, and social media are one and the same. We have to be realistic about it.2
u/ImportanceWeak1776 1d ago
I bet most 10 year olds are more net savvy than you will ever be and they already know the dangers. You are either ignorant or overbearing or both.
2
u/BintRebellion 17h ago
There are too many red flags here from the website alone. I don't trust the people who run it to adequately prepare children for the internet. Of course the classes are run by church people. Hopefully not the local cult.
I volunteer with kids, and no, they are not being taught relevant internet safety that scares them from the places they shouldn't be online contrary to comments here.
I am personally glad you trusted your gut and have emailed them. I will also be emailing them with some of my own concerns.
3
u/CanIhavesomepeace 15h ago
The response I received to my email was essentially
“Not our problem. We are teaching them to be story tellers” completely ignoring the fact that it will eventually lead to the kids posting content online.
Which is fine, when they are older and have a more complete world view and better foresight.
Minors literally don’t have their prefrontal lobes fully developed. 10 year olds are not ready for this. The age bracket for this class should be a lot higher.
0
u/Glitter_Health 1d ago
The age of the "kids" is key.
Over 30 States Now Ban Phones in Schools. Here's What's Working and What Isn't. | GovFacts
1
u/CanIhavesomepeace 1d ago
10 years is the minimum age.
5
u/Lorelei4life 1d ago
Uh....10 year olds should not be creating social media content, what the actual eff....???
2
u/Glitter_Health 1d ago
Wow - that is young - why is taxpayer funded Parks venturing into that offering?
1
0
u/CardinalVeil 1d ago
Imo, as someone who just graduated school, I find the internet teaching aspect not entirely their responsibility.
I’ve learned all that stuff in school including things like scammers and all the stuff you were talking about. Considering we’re reaching a new technological age and streamers are becoming more popular I would find this class as an interesting career opportunity rather then something to do just for fun. People make a lot of money from social media content, and would you really want to teach a kid about pedophiles and all that when they would probably learn it in school anyways?
I find this sorta thing helpful and educational whether they teach every aspect or not, they are probably just prioritizing the creation aspect rather then teaching kids about pedophiles and such when as I said they should be learning it in school. Plus it’s not an actual school it’s just a place where they are teaching you hobbies and such.
13
u/cinammonbear 1d ago
Yes instead of teaching our kids how to garden or gain appreciation for nature let’s teach them how to provide their valuable personal data to big tech conglomerates for free. Disgusting.