In the age of hyper digital connectivity, a recent incident has reignited discussions on the repercussions of teachers maintaining a constant online presence. The focal point of this discourse stems from a viral TikTok Live video featuring a female ‘teacher’ expressing severe criticism and harsh words towards her presumed students. The video, a screen-recording shared on Facebook by user Fred Jzeidric La Moréna, has sparked widespread debate and concern regarding the appropriate conduct of educators in digital spaces.
The reposted video, which amassed significant attention with 2.2 million views, 61,000 reactions, and 8,500 comments, captured the ‘teacher’ in intense frustration as she scolded her students for what she perceived as unacceptable behavior. The uploader of the video himself voiced his disapproval, emphasizing the impact of such verbal abuse on young minds and urging against perpetuating cycles of mistreatment.
The teacher in the video utilized derogatory terms such as ‘ugaling iskwater’ [having a squatter mentality], ‘ingrato’ [ungrateful], ‘walang mararating sa buhay’ [will not succeed in life], and ‘wala kayong lugar sa mundo’ [you have no place in the world], among others, which of course shouldn’t be coming out of the mouth of an educator. These disparaging remarks were directed at the students, accompanied by admonishments about forgetting their boundaries and showing disrespect.
Social media users quickly reacted to the video, expressing various sentiments and viewpoints on the ‘teacher’s’ behavior. One user commented, “Kaya nga tayo nagturo para may marating sila at maabot nila ang kanilang pangarap” [That’s why we teach, so they can achieve and reach their dreams), highlighting the role of educators in nurturing and encouraging students].
Another user expressed concern, stating, “What are you doing, teacher? You are supposed to encourage and motivate your students to achieve their dreams. Those words can hurt your students and believe that they are really like that!” This sentiment reflects the impact of negative language and teachers’ responsibility to foster a positive learning environment.
Amidst the criticism, a voice of understanding emerged, with a user commenting, “wala pang narating sabi ni maam syempre mga bata pa po yan. Hindi natin alam ang future ng bawat isa dyan…. Konting pasensya pa po maam Godbless [Ma’am, they haven’t achieved anything yet, of course, they’re still young. We don’t know the future of each one there. A little patience, Ma’am, God bless!]”
This incident clearly shows the challenges posed by educators’ perpetual presence on social media platforms like TikTok. While these platforms offer avenues for engagement and interaction, they also underscore the need for responsible digital conduct, especially in roles of authority and influence. Educators should maintain a delicate balance and walk a thin line when navigating online spaces, considering the potential ramifications of impulsive expressions of frustration or anger.
Other POP! stories that you might like:
Filipino R&B artist Denise Julia under fire for ‘sexual objectification’
Filipino NCTzens divided over Lucas’ fan meeting announcement in the PH
Olivia Rodrigo giving out emergency contraceptive pills at her concert has the internet divided
These John Cena-Katy Perry photos expose troubling double standards women still face
