Kheiron Module 2

Social Media LiteracyandDigital Safety Social media platforms are powerful tools for communication and connection, but they also carry risks. For mentors, understanding how to use these platforms safely and responsibly is essential to protect themselves and their mentees while fostering trust and digital resilience. 03 Digital Literacy and Onl ine Mentoring Strategies Social media literacy is the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and create content across social platforms (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp, X/Twitter). In a mentoring context, this includes knowing how to communicate appropriately, assess the reliability of information, and navigate digital identity and privacy. Digital safety refers to the practices that protect individuals' information, well-being, and interactions in online environments. It includes protecting personal data, setting boundaries, avoiding scams, and recognizing online risks like cyberbullying, misinformation, and exploitation. In the context of mentoring young people in rural or vulnerable settings: Mentors are role models in modeling safe digital behavior They need to understand platform features like privacy settings, direct messaging limits, and content reporting They should maintain professional boundaries (e.g., avoid personal connections via private social media accounts) The concept of digital safety is aligned with UNESCO’s Media and Information Literacy Framework, which emphasizes critical thinking, digital citizenship, and the ethical use of technology. Mentors need to be digitally literate, not just for their own use, but to guide mentees in becoming responsible, safe digital citizens.