Harrison Central students receive social/digital presentation

On Thursday, Robert Hackenson, Jr. was at Harrison Central to present to students in mid-elementary, junior, and senior high levels of education. The theme of his presentation was around the topic of the Landmines of Social Media and the Dangers of the Digital age. His overall topics included the pitfalls of growing up in a digital age.

According to Hackenson, the objective of the presentation is to teach digital and social media safety in an unexpected and engaging way. He instructs students about digital and social media, and that safety is critical. Whether it’s getting addicted to technology, screen time and mental health, online arguing, posting hateful things, meeting people online or tarnishing your online reputation, it can be dangerous!

As a magician and “Edutainer,” Hackenson is changing how teens post and use technology. This amazing presentation has allowed students across the country and around the world to understand how to use this technology responsibly. His presentation infuses magic, eye-catching illusions, skits, and more in a way that engages students while reinforcing the educational lessons. Every piece of magic, story, video clip, and more, is used to deliver a message and make it memorable, without making light of this serious issue.

His presentation helps to start a conversation amongst parents and students about social media safety and responsible posting. The audience will leave understanding the importance of creating screen time structure, putting down devices when they are emotional, and most importantly stopping to think before you post.

Hackman began his presentation by performing some card illusions with students. He pulled six students from the audience with Blake Atkins as his main assistant. He gave the students playing cards which they were to cancel until his revealing. Arm in arm with Atkins, he began identifying the cards and asking the students to return to their seats. This illusion, along with several others did entertain the students and kept them engaged in his presentation.

Other interesting aspects and takeaways of the presentation included topics of Anxiety and Communication Skills, Emotional Harm, Safety, and Hurtful Reputation. Things said such as: you are in control media use, don’t let it control you; sound and feelings; addiction to technology; time spent texting and talking; statistics on time spent on social media; and the effects of social media and your mental health were certainly topics that hit home for many of those in attendance.

A very sensitive but important topic was knowing who you are texting with. It is easy to be tricked into texting with someone who has disguised themselves as someone else. He provided three examples of real-life meetings with an imposter that ended in bad consequences.

The students were reminded that if they are suspicious of who they are communicating with, they should tell someone.

In communicating there are five types of digital media; they are texting, emails, posting messages, and tweeting. In all of these there are opportunities of listening, the possibility of embracing differences, and the possibility that you must accept being wrong.

Statistically, young people from the ages of 8 through 18 use 7 hours of screen time a day; 75 percent of teens own smart phones; talking and texting uses 33 minutes per day; youth in teen years text 118 messages a day. As far as mental health, the more you text the better you feel, but when not engaged in texting, you feel depressed.

The students were encouraged to put their media away one hour before bedtime. They are to try to exercise, do “real” face time with family and friends, and when talking with family and friends, pay strict attention.