Te(a)ch: Highlights on the Social Media Netiquette Webinar

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Published on Friday, 27 May 2022 06:48

Written by Anezka Tan, SHS-HDJ, Cebu City

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Mr. Phil Christian Morales, Keynote Speaker

Last May 25, 2022, the Hijas de Jesus Indico-Pacific Region hosts its second youth webinar on Social Media Netiquette: A Guide Towards Becoming a Responsible Netizen which aims to guide our young people to be more responsible in using social media especially in posting their comments and reactions on different issues. Graced with the presence of the sisters, faculty, youth ministers, and participating schools from all around the region, the event truly united everyone in the spirit of Christ and Saint Candida.

VISIT THE GALLERIES: I The Assembly  II The Sharers  III Varied

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The dawn of the digital era has brought about circumstances testing the morality of humanity. The technological advancements have narrowed the world to a simple *click*, yet with every swipe, the humanity that flows within humans begins to slowly ebb away. The person on the other end of the screen has been left forgotten, forced to face the onslaught of harsh critiques and downgrading backlash, that at the end of the day, the internet turns humans inhumane.

As digital natives, it has become easier for the younger generations to create and cultivate cultures and countercultures as some people hide behind the masks of bandwagons, clout chasing, and trends. With that and the pandemic forcing each and every one into the confines of their homes and their blue-lit screens, the fracture in the morality and identity of these adolescents worsens as the lines have become blurred with the artificial glow of technology. Who can better clear these lines than the person who understands human psychology, young adults, and morality than Mr. Phil Christian Morales, the keynote speaker of the event?

            The event began with the wonderful and energetic greetings of the hosts Apollo Oruga and Keesha Duque from Manresa School that filled the rest of the participants with excitement, heard in their greetings as the hosts called each of the participating schools. Preceding this had been the opening prayer by the Stella Maris Academy of Davao who sent both our present and future intercessions for the talk. Prior to the main event, a fun, insightful, and quirky introduction of the speaker was shared by Juliana Rojas, one of the past students of Mr. Morales, who highlighted his passions as a husband, father, a teacher in Catholic Life Formation, and a Psychology major who took up units in Theology. Then, the main event ensued with Mr. Phil Christian Morales opening with a refreshing video on how the birth of Christ would have occurred in the context of the digital era.

            His discussion afterward provided some insight on the association and dissociation between social media and real-life identities, tackling the essence of upholding the core values of honesty, modesty, and chastity. The openness of his discussion was evidenced when addressing the reasons why these contrasts in identities exist in the first place - shedding some insight on duality and dissonance. These were all placed in the context of the online set-up and how this platform creates a 'presumed' freedom of anonymity that pushes one to forget the scars on the other end of the screen. He also initiated the conversation on internet trolls and why they are who they are while spotlighting the necessity of reflecting on one’s purpose in social media, which was continued through the various breakout room sessions with pre-assigned groupings, each named with a saint.

            I had the opportunity to join the Saint Candida Maria de Jesus group, facilitated by Sister Emelinda Falsis, and it was truly a fruitful discussion where each member had the chance to share their experiences on trolling and how they felt about it, their past, and newfound advocacies on utilizing their social media platforms, and their motivations and hindrances that affect this vigor for change. After the breakout rooms had been closed, a plenary sharing had transpired with each representative from each group voicing out their insights from the group discussion. Each and every participant wished to impart a positive impact on the world by cultivating a respectful, kind, and healthy social media platform that could be the spark plug that pushes for change and empowers others to do the same. Mr. Morales then shared his awe from the reflections and began his second discussion on cancel culture.

            He thoroughly conversed with the youth on the origins, its benefits and harms, and its examples. This assiduous examination on cancel culture led to a deeper integration of the Hijas mark: Kapatid sa Kapwa (A Brother or Sister to All), particularly in the context of fraternal correction and dialogue as the cancel culture prevents both from happening. The severing of relationships prevents discourse, which is especially seen in his video that shared an example of a teen who has been on both ends of the cancel culture spectrum - the accused and the accuser.

       He also shared how we can stay COOL while on social media using the word as the acronym (Calm, Open-minded, Only focused on ideas, and Listening actively). Afterward, the conversation was brought to the breakout rooms where the participants shared their experience in canceling someone or their stances on it and introspect on how they can be more charitable to people with opposing views. During the subsequent plenary sharing, one of the participants stated how important respect was towards another person, even while using technology, because it is through respect that dialogue emerges, and it is through dialogue that people evolve.

            The sunny emcees, Keesha and Apollo, later on, facilitated the question and answer portion where Mr. Morales was able to openly and smoothly answer questions on the morality of cancel culture and the moral standards of influential people. The hosts then presented a certificate of appreciation to Mr. Morales for his eye-opening talks that shed light on the 101s of Netiquette in Social Media. Jelienne Galve from Colegio de las Hijas de Jesus then shared her learnings from the event, and the acknowledgment and thanksgiving was imparted by Kristoff Lim of Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepcion. Sister Joji ‘Jeck’ Silorio, the Provincial Council member, shared her closing remarks with the Ten Commandments translated to its more technology-esque form in digital citizenship. As she would say,  ‘Peace be with you,’ and with the use of technology, humanity should choose to be humane and Christ-like as an embodiment and instrument of the Loving Father. Panay-Guimaras then closed the session with a prayer after the photo session.  

            The event was truly fun-filled and meaningful as it shed light on the blue light. I can personally attest through the diverse experiences of myself and others that the internet is shaped by how one utilizes it, and this is embodied through the webinar itself, employing its platform to enlighten and empower the youth of today. This event could not have been as memorable without the collective efforts of all the organizers, the collaborative efforts of the participating schools, speakers, and the grace of God with the intercession of St. Candida. In God, we do all things.

 Anezka Tan - The Writer