Pandora’s Box: Protecting Students in the Metaverse and Beyond

Submitted by Barbara Grimm, Founder and President of School Responder, and C.J. Huff, Ed.D.

If growing up isn’t hard enough, social media has complicated our children's and youth's lives. Students today must not only navigate the challenges of childhood and adolescence, but they must also contend with unprecedented levels of cyberbullying.

In a 2023 study of middle school and high school students between the ages of 13 and 17, it was found that 26.5% of those surveyed had experienced some form of cyberbullying within the previous 30 days. This was an almost 10% increase from the same study conducted in 2016.1 With the incidents of cyberbullying increasing; it should come as no surprise there has also been a significant increase in both suicide and homicide rates among our nation’s youth 2

We all know our children and youth live and engage daily inside that mythological Pandora’s box, which has taken the shape of cellphones, laptops, watches, video game platforms, and many other digital devices. Tech companies are already in hyperdrive in the evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) and the creation of a metaverse. As complicated as it is to protect our students today, protecting them tomorrow will be more complicated. As leaders, we must have the courage to jump into Pandora’s box, equipped with effective digital tools to safeguard our children and youth 24/7/365.

Click here to learn more about the technology available today that can adapt and assist school leaders in creating a community of care by meeting students where they are. Regardless of technological advancements, relationships and communication with trusted adults have always been and always will be the answer. Together, we can shut the lid and throw away the key to Pandora’s box.

1 https://cyberbullying.org/cyberbullying-continues-to-rise-among-youth-in-the-united-states-2023

2 https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db471.htm#fig3