Arguments for a School Digital Mediation Guide for Romanian Counselor Teachers

Abstract

Today, when the ubiquity of new interactive technology is undeniable and children and teenagers are between the highest internet consumers, gaining advantages but also being exposed to lots of risks, the educational institutions should open their gates and integrate it within their daily practices and curriculum. But, even the unprecedented pandemic situation forces its limits, requiring globally the online education to replace the traditional ones, the issues are far more complex, taking into consideration the risks children are facing online and the lack of support they are receiving. This paper focus is on the Romanian educational system, aiming to argue for fostering changes and to offer a sociological reasoned perspective on what can be done to give children and parents valuable information about minimizing the internet risks and highlighting its benefits. Recent researches results regarding children's digital behavior and parental digital mediation strategies emphasize the need for teachers' involvement to digitally mediate the relationship between children – technology – family and school. The radiography of the Romanian educational system's actual situation points to the digitalization gaps, but also the opportunities, the school counselor teachers being a key resource in this issue. Considering also the valuable insights offered by the good practice examples from different European countries, this paper shows the research results of piloting a guide developed for the school counselor teachers to equip them with the relevant information needed to face the emergent digital issues affecting children, teenagers, and entire family well-being.