Safety first but don't forget what's next when students use social media

I was looking forward to checking out this post from my Twitter feed:

Students Talk #Facebook on #Vimeo | @scoopit http://t.co/Ky5mAz9Iu2 #KSFY #SocialMedia #digcit #edchat #edbublogs
— ICTPHMS (@ICTPHMS) February 19, 2014

I'm thrilled that schools like the Patrick Henry Middle School are willing to put themselves out there and share in the mainstream media that Facebook isn't something to be afraid of, but rather we can teach students to use it safely.

Maybe I'm just impatient, but aren't we ready to move past the conversation about the fact that Facebook won't kill you and travel toward this:

Social media goes beyond keeping #stuvoice out of trouble and on to giving them a voice in convos that matter http://t.co/vfu8v74D8U
— Lisa Nielsen (@InnovativeEdu) February 22, 2014

Let's bring attention to all the great ways students and teachers are using social media platforms like Facebook to do things like strengthen the home - school connection or provide a platform for students and teachers to have a voice in the issues that affect them or upset them or make global connections to transform a classroom and a community.

As educators it is indeed our job to keep student safe in the environments in which they participate, but as Facebook celebrates its tenth anniversary, aren't we ready to move beyond the most basic of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs?