ask.fm - anonymous questions hurt

One of the newest, and very popular social media platforms is ask.fm. Like many other forms of familiar social media (e.g Facebook, Instagram), the tool can be used in a constructive, appropriate way. Though, there is the possibility that some use the tool for bullying and harassment of others.

Ask.fm specifically allows users to set up an account and receive questions from other users. However, unlike Facebook or Instagram where an account has a user ID or name associated with it, the questions can be asked anonymously.  There is no way to find out who is at the other end of an anonymous question.  This feature provides a level of secrecy that has been used to ask inappropriate and hurtful questions of other students.

Recently CNN and The Today Show featured ask.fm and highlighted the fact that adults are not familiar with the platform.  With the correct settings, Ask.fm does have the ability for users to "block" anonymous questions. In addition there is the ability to block and report a user who is being abusive. See this article for more information about the ability to block anonymous questions on ask.fm.

Please speak with your students and children about appropriate use.  And like all tools, if it isn't positive, constructive, or useful anymore...get rid of the tool, or turn it off.  This article from the 
American Academy of Pediatrics offers some helpful tips when discussing Social Media with children. Common Sense Media offers tools for educators and parents.

If you have any questions about social media, its use, or how to secure and use these tools positively in your classroom or with your children, please contact the Educational Technology department at edtech@ttusd.org.