Njoki and Ebony talk about mental health issues.

Njoki: (Excitedly) Ebony, I've been reading some amazing blog posts on Therapy for Black Girls. They've been helping me navigate relationships and understand mental health better.

Ebony: (Curious) Really? I didn't know you were into that. I usually prefer to watch videos or do my own research.

Njoki: (Eager to share) Well, you know, reading about mental health helps me a lot in understanding myself and others. For example, I read this one titled "How Advocating for Yourself Affects Your Mental Health." It really shed light on how important it is to speak up and ask for what you need.

Ebony: (Listening intently) That sounds interesting. I'm not always good at asking for help, but I do my best to find solutions on my own. What else have you been reading?

Njoki: (Enthusiastic) Another one I found helpful was "Letting Go of 'Survival Mode.'" It made me realize that sometimes I push myself too hard, trying to be a perfectionist. It's essential to prioritize self-care.

Ebony: (Nods in agreement) I can relate to that. I often feel like I have to be a superwoman and do everything perfectly. It can be exhausting.

Njoki: (Empathetic) Exactly! But it's okay to say 'no' and take care of ourselves. Oh, and there's this podcast episode on Therapy for Black Girls about how "Black Girls React to The Little Mermaid." It's so interesting how they discuss representation in media.

Ebony: (Interested) I remember when Halle Bailey was cast as Ariel in the live-action version. That caused quite a buzz. I'll definitely check that out.

Njoki: (Continuing) And if you ever want to understand imposter syndrome and perfectionism better, there's a podcast episode about that too. It's called "The Truth About Imposter Syndrome & Perfectionism."

Ebony: (Appreciative) Thanks for sharing these resources, Njoki. I may not ask for help often, but I'm always willing to learn and improve myself. These seem like valuable insights.

Njoki: (Smiling) You're welcome, Ebony. We're all on a journey of self-discovery and growth, right?

Ebony: (Grateful) Absolutely, Njoki. Thanks for being a helpful friend and sharing these resources with me. I'll start exploring them soon.

Their conversation continued, with Njoki and Ebony discussing their different approaches to self-improvement and mental health. Ebony appreciated Njoki's willingness to share valuable insights from her readings and podcast recommendations.

​

🔎 Search & Discover Activity: What’s Your Digital Trail?

Objective: Explore how digital footprints, deleted posts, and online behaviors can impact educational and career opportunities.

Instructions: Using a search engine like Google or Bing, complete the tasks below. Write your findings in your notebook or digital journal. Make sure you’re using credible sources such as news websites (e.g., NPR, CNN, BBC, The Guardian), educational sites (.edu), or government websites (.gov).

🧭 Part 1: Real-World Consequences
Search This: “People who lost jobs or scholarships because of social media posts”
Tasks:

1. Choose one story of a young person or professional who faced serious consequences due to a social media post.
2. What did they post?
3. What was the result or consequence?
4. What could they have done differently?

🔍 Part 2: What Can Be Found Online? 
Search This: “Can deleted social media posts still be found?”
Tasks:

1. Summarize how deleted posts can still be accessed.
2. What are “screenshots,” “archives,” or “caches”?
3. Why is it important to assume that nothing is ever truly deleted online?

📚 Part 3: Learn the Language
Search and Define:

• Digital footprint
• Online reputation
• Cyber hygiene
• Social media audit

Task: Write each definition in your own words and give one example for each term.

🧠 Part 4: Reflection
Prompt: Based on what you learned today, what changes—if any—will you make to your own online behavior? Write a paragraph reflecting on your research and how it connects to Ebony’s story.

PII - Personal Identifiable Information
Here is a list of personal information that should not be shared online:

1. Home Address: You should never share your home address on the internet.
2. Phone Number: Avoid sharing your cell phone number online.
3. Email Address: Keep your email address private and don't share it openly.
4. Personal Information: Be cautious about sharing personal information like your date of birth, driver's license, who you live with or other details on social media.
5. License Plate Number: Avoid posting pictures that reveal your license plate number, as it can be used to identify you.
6. Family Pictures: Be careful about sharing family pictures that could reveal personal information or your location.
7. Details in the Background: Ensure that your background in photos or videos doesn't reveal sensitive information, like degrees or awards that may contain your name.
8. Information about Your Home: Avoid sharing details about your living space, especially if it can be used to identify your location.
9.  Webinar Attendees: When hosting online sessions, be mindful of what's visible in your background, especially if there are many attendees. Avoid sharing personal or sensitive information unintentionally. Also, make sure that your space is clean.
10. Personal Interactions: Be cautious when interacting with strangers online, and remember that not everyone may have good intentions. Don't reveal too much personal information, especially to people you don't know well.
11. Identity Protection: Keep in mind that oversharing personal information can make it easier for someone to steal your identity, potentially leading to issues like fraudulent job applications or credit card applications.
12. Stranger Danger: It's essential to remind yourself and others about basic online safety and the potential dangers of sharing too much information, especially for women and individuals who belong to minority groups may be targeted more frequently. Strangers, as well as some people you "think" you know, may put you in danger.

By avoiding the sharing of this sensitive information, you can help protect your privacy and reduce the risk of identity theft or other online threats.

​Jazmin, the MarTech Publicist, knew the importance of staying safe online. She shared her wisdom with her friend Maria, who was new to social media. "Maria," she said, "you should be careful about what you share on the internet. Don't give away too much information about yourself, like your home address. Some people might use it for bad things."
 
Maria nodded, realizing that being cautious was essential. Jazmin continued, "And always check your social media accounts regularly to make sure you're not sharing too much. Sometimes, even your license plate number in a picture can be a problem."
 
Maria thanked Jazmin for her advice and started being extra careful about what she shared online.

​As Jazmin worked on the Open Educational Resource (OER) project, she understood the importance of creating a safe online space. She thought about her own experiences and how she had to be extra cautious because she was a woman of unique heritage.
 
Jazmin decided to make the OER a place where Latinas, Afro-Latinas, Black girls, and women could learn and connect safely. She ensured that the content reflected their diverse experiences and that there were no personal details that could put them at risk.
 
Jazmin's dedication to safety and diversity made the OER a welcoming place for people from all backgrounds.

One day, Jazmin was reviewing content for the OER when she came across a section that perpetuated stereotypes about minority women. She couldn't believe it. She knew she had to do something about it.
 
Jazmin decided to rewrite that section, showcasing the strength and resilience of minority women instead of reinforcing harmful stereotypes. She wanted to challenge the status quo and make sure that the OER was a platform for diverse and empowering stories.
 
Her determination to amplify underrepresented voices shone through as she worked tirelessly to create content that celebrated the unique heritage and experiences of Latinas, Afro-Latinas, Black girls, and women.
 
In each of these mini-stories, Jazmin's commitment to staying safe online and promoting diversity and inclusivity in the digital world shines through. Her unique perspective and determination make her a powerful force for positive change in the OER project.

Banter: Fun Chats and Serious Talks
Banter is a word we use to describe conversations that can be both fun and friendly or more serious, depending on the context. It's like when you're talking to your friends or family members, and you're having a playful or light-hearted conversation. You might tease each other in a good-natured way, share jokes, or just chat about everyday stuff like movies, sports, or school.

Friendly Banter: Friendly banter is when you and your friends exchange jokes or playful remarks. It's all in good fun, and nobody's trying to hurt anyone's feelings. For example, if you and your friend play on opposing sports teams, you might tease each other about who's going to win the next game. It's a way of bonding and having a good time together.

Serious Talks: Banter can also be used for more serious conversations. Sometimes, people use banter to discuss important topics like politics, current events, or personal issues. In these cases, banter can mean having a thoughtful discussion. It's not about making jokes but rather sharing ideas, opinions, and even debating.

So, whether it's light-hearted and fun or deep and meaningful, banter is a way people communicate and connect with each other. It's like a flexible tool in our conversational toolbox that we can use for different situations, depending on what we want to achieve in our talks.

​Example: Sports & Politics Banter
Some people use Twitter to go back and forth about sports and politics. In the first 90 seconds of this video, Stephen Colbert talks to Jemele Hill about one of her Tweets that got the attention from a POTUS. Keep watching the video to learn how the two arenas of sports and politics intermingle and how, at times, sports are politicized when it shouldn't be the case.

Leave a comment: What do you go back and forth with others about on social media? What kinds of responses do you receive? What are some great examples of banter that you've come across online?