Social Media

Distraction or learning tool? Learn more about how social media is used by students, teachers, and school systems
This image portrays a young woman deeply engaged with her smartphone, seen through a distorted, swirling blur effect. The artistic composition highlights the concept of doomscrolling, brainrot, digital addiction, social media immersion, and the modern reliance on technology. The surreal perspective creates a sense of detachment, illustrating how screens can shape and blur reality.
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Student Well-Being Opinion Social Media Is Awash With Bad Health Advice. This Lesson Can Help
Why a librarian and health educator teamed up to teach students the red flags of misleading claims.
Nicole Murphy & Cynthia Sandler, May 30, 2025
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4 min read
A teacher and student have opposite perspectives on cellphone use in school.
Danny Allison for Education Week
Science From Our Research Center Students Don't Think Cellphones Distract Them From Learning STEM. Teachers Disagree
New surveys of teens and teachers show how far apart the two groups are on this issue.
Arianna Prothero, May 27, 2025
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4 min read
Students in Lynne Martin's 5th grade class study math using Chromebooks at Markham Elementary School in Oakland, Calif. on Sept. 5, 2019.
Students in Lynne Martin's 5th grade class study math using Chromebooks at Markham Elementary School in Oakland, Calif. on Sept. 5, 2019. The least trend affecting schools is prompting students to set their Chromebooks on fire, which can lead to damage, fines, and even criminal charges.
Paul Chinn/San Francisco Chronicle via AP
Classroom Technology Exploding Chromebooks? How to Counter the Latest TikTok Trend
The social media challenge has kids damaging school-issued devices.
Jennifer Vilcarino, May 21, 2025
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4 min read
Conceptual illustration of classroom conversations and fragmented education elements coming together to form a cohesive picture of a book of classroom knowledge.
Sonia Pulido for Education Week
Teaching Opinion Students Are Regularly Exposed to Sexist Content Online. What Should Teachers Do
Andrew Tate's messaging about the "manosphere" is just one example of the dangerous messages students are receiving.
Larry Ferlazzo, May 20, 2025
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5 min read
President Donald Trump, with first lady Melania Trump and others, after signing the Take It Down Act during a ceremony in the Rose Garden at the White House, May 19, 2025. The new law criminalizes the creation and sharing of non-consensual intimate imagery online, which has been a growing challenge for schools.
President Donald Trump, with first lady Melania Trump and others, after signing the Take It Down Act during a ceremony in the Rose Garden at the White House, May 19, 2025. The new law criminalizes the creation and sharing of non-consensual intimate imagery online, which has been a growing challenge for schools.
Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP
Student Well-Being Trump Cracks Down Against Explicit AI Images. What It Means for Schools
A new federal law could give schools more leverage to deal with a growing challenge of sexually explicit AI-generated images and videos.
Olina Banerji, May 19, 2025
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9 min read
Conceptual image of cyberbullying.
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Classroom Technology Instagram Wants Teachers to Report Cyberbullying. But How Much Will That Help?
The social media platform created a program designed to help educators report instances of potential cyberbullying.
Alyson Klein, March 31, 2025
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2 min read
Thu., January 30, 2025, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. ET
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Classroom Technology Webinar Smartphones and Social Media: Building Policies for Safe Technology Use in Schools
Smartphones and social media are ever present with today’s students. Join this conversation on navigating the challenges and tailoring policy.
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Illustration of spywares softwares on devices. Data privacy concept.
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Privacy & Security What a Recent Trump Comment Might Mean for Students' Data Privacy
President Donald Trump's comments while signing an executive order raise questions about his support for kids' data privacy.
Arianna Prothero, January 28, 2025
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6 min read
Supporters of TikTok hold signs during a rally to defend the app at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, March 22, 2023. The House holds a hearing Thursday, with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew about the platform's consumer privacy and data security practices and impact on kids.
Educators who support TikTok hold signs during a rally to defend the app at the Capitol in Washington on March 22, 2023. President Trump signed an executive order on his first day in office that delays enforcement of the law for at least 75 days.
Jose Luis Magana/AP
Federal Trump Puts Use of TikTok Back in Play. What This Means for Educators
The platform's future remain's murky despite Trump's executive order delaying a ban.
Mark Walsh & Lauraine Langreo, January 20, 2025
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5 min read
Sarah Baus, left, of Charleston, S.C., and Tiffany Cianci, who says she is a "long-form educational content creator," livestream to TikTok outside the Supreme Court, on Jan. 10, 2025, in Washington.
Sarah Baus, left, of Charleston, S.C., and Tiffany Cianci, who says she is a "long-form educational content creator," livestream to TikTok outside the Supreme Court, on Jan. 10, 2025, in Washington.
Jacquelyn Martin/AP
Law & Courts How Educators Feel About the Supreme Court's Decision to Uphold TikTok Ban
The Supreme Court upheld a law targeting TikTok, increasing the uncertainty for an app highly popular among U.S. educators and students.
Mark Walsh & Lauraine Langreo, January 17, 2025
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6 min read
People rally to protect kids online on Capitol Hill in Washington on Jan. 31, 2024.
People rally to protect kids online on Capitol Hill in Washington on Jan. 31, 2024.
Jose Luis Magana/AP
Student Well-Being Social Media Issues for Kids Shaping Up to Be 'Unpredictable' in 2025
Donald Trump back in the White House, Elon Musk's growing influence, and the end of fact checkers at Facebook could mean big changes.
Arianna Prothero, January 8, 2025
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5 min read
Image of students using laptops in the classroom.
E+
Classroom Technology What's In, What's Out for AI, Cellphones, Cybersecurity, and Other Ed-Tech Stuff
Education technology changes quickly, and so do the trends that define how educators and students use it. What's ahead for 2025?
Arianna Prothero & Lauraine Langreo, January 2, 2025
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1 min read
The app for Bluesky is shown on a mobile phone, left, and on a laptop screen on June 2, 2023, in New York.
The app for Bluesky is shown on a mobile phone, left, and on a laptop screen on June 2, 2023, in New York.
Richard Drew/AP
Professional Development Is Bluesky the New Twitter for Teachers?
Educators are trying out social media app Bluesky for building and maintaining their professional learning networks.
Lauraine Langreo, December 17, 2024
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7 min read
TikTok and Facebook application on screen Apple iPhone XR
iStock Editorial/Getty
Law & Courts TikTok Is a Step Closer to Being Banned. What Schools Need to Know
TikTok is a big headache for educators, but banning it probably won't solve all their issues with student engagement.
Lauraine Langreo, December 11, 2024
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3 min read
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