Social Media

Distraction or learning tool? Learn more about how social media is used by students, teachers, and school systems
Illustration of the arm of Statue of Liberty with various speech bubbles coming out of the top of her torch
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Law & Courts Court Rejects Discipline of Student Whose Post Mocked George Floyd's Death
An appeals court ruled that a student's off-campus social media post is constitutionally protected.
Mark Walsh, October 31, 2025
4 min read
The United States Capitol building as a bookcase filled with red, white, and blue policy books in a Washington DC landscape.
Luca D'Urbino for Education Week
Teaching Profession Opinion How a Middle School Teacher Became a Viral Sensation
A science educator explains how he balances being an influencer with his classroom practice.
Rick Hess, October 21, 2025
7 min read
Image of analysis of a brain and a cellphone.
Olemedia/iStock/Getty
Student Well-Being & Movement Kids’ Social Media Use Linked to Lower Reading and Memory Scores, Study Suggests
While the differences in scores are subtle, researchers say it could add up in the long term.
Lauraine Langreo, October 17, 2025
7 min read
A tight cropped photograph of unrecognizable African American man sitting on sofa with his son, both watching something on smartphones.
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Student Well-Being & Movement How All That Masculinity Content Online Really Makes Boys Feel
Nearly every boy in a new survey says they've seen content online about body image or appearance.
Caitlynn Peetz Stephens, October 14, 2025
4 min read
Two brothers are sitting on the sofa looking at a mobile phone together. Younger one is close to him, watching over his shoulder.
E+
Student Well-Being & Movement Online Messages About Masculinity Hurt Boys’ Self-Esteem. How Educators Can Help
Boys online frequently see messages about making money, building muscle, and fighting or using weapons.
Caitlynn Peetz Stephens, October 8, 2025
6 min read
Illustration of a teacher's desk and speech bubbles with the colors of the US flag with stars and stripes.
Illustration with Getty and DigitalVision Vectors.
Teaching Profession Free-Speech Lines Blur for Teachers in Wake of Charlie Kirk's Killing
Fallout from teacher reactions to the activist's death led some state officials to threaten to revoke educators' licenses.
Sarah D. Sparks, September 19, 2025
9 min read
Smart Phone and steel trap on yellow background. Concept of social media and phone addiction. 3D rendering
iStock/Getty Images
School & District Management Opinion Educators Are Being Fired for Posting About Charlie Kirk. Is That a Problem?
Many schools lack a shared understanding of how free speech and professional ethics intersect on social media.
Meagan Booth, September 17, 2025
5 min read
People look at a photo of Charlie Kirk, the CEO and co-founder of Turning Point USA who was shot and killed, at a vigil in his memory, Sept. 11, 2025, in Orem, Utah.
People look at a photo of Charlie Kirk, the CEO and co-founder of Turning Point USA, who was shot and killed, at a vigil in his memory, Sept. 11, 2025, in Orem, Utah. Talking in class about incidents like Kirk's assassination takes careful planning.
Lindsey Wasson/AP
Classroom Technology How Teachers Can Talk to Students About Charlie Kirk's Assassination
Avoiding discussion of difficult topics in school is a missed learning opportunity.
Alyson Klein & Jennifer Vilcarino, September 12, 2025
6 min read
Charlie Kirk speaks before he is shot during Turning Point's visit to Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, on Sept. 10, 2025.
Charlie Kirk speaks before he is shot during Turning Point USA's visit to Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, on Sept. 10, 2025. Teachers across the country have been fired or put on leave for their inflammatory social media posts about the shooting.
Tess Crowley/The Deseret News via AP
Teaching Profession Teachers Across the U.S. Get Suspended or Fired Over Posts Linked to Charlie Kirk
Teachers face discipline for social media posts following the conservative speaker's assassination.
Sarah D. Sparks, September 12, 2025
6 min read
Students wait at a bus stop outside DeWitt Clinton High School on Monday, July 14, 2025.
Students wait at a bus stop outside DeWitt Clinton High School in New York City on July 14, 2025. Teenagers are experiencing more loneliness than any other age group in the world, a new report from the World Health Organization found.
Mostafa Bassim for Education Week
Student Well-Being & Movement Q&A Teens Are the Loneliest People in the World, a New Report Finds. Why?
Rates of loneliness are higher among teens, the World Health Organization found. Is social media to blame?
Jennifer Vilcarino, August 5, 2025
5 min read
Photo collage of teenage girl using social media on cellphone.
Georgijevic / E+
Student Well-Being & Movement How Old Kids Are When They Get Their First Phone, According to a New Survey
The survey collected insights on smartphone use, social media habits, cyberbullying, and more among 11- to 13-year-olds.
3 min read
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F. Sheehan/Education Week
Education Follow Education Week’s K-12 Coverage on Bluesky
Education Week has joined the social media platform Bluesky.
Edér Del Prado, July 14, 2025
1 min read
Photo of teen girl using cellphone.
Georgijevic / E+
Student Well-Being & Movement The Online Behaviors Most Harmful to Kids’ Mental Health, According to a New Survey
A new survey asked 11- to 13-year-olds how they felt when they engaged in certain behaviors online.
5 min read
Make America Great Again hats are sold alongside other Trump memorabilia for the inauguration of Donald J. Trump on Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
Make America Great Again hats are sold alongside other Trump memorabilia for the inauguration of Donald J. Trump on Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington, D.C. The U.S. Supreme Court on June 30, 2025, declined to hear two cases involving political speech in public schools, including one centered on a student who alleges he was bullied and harassed by classmates and teachers after wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat.
Apolline Guillerot-Malick/Sipa via AP Images
Law & Courts Supreme Court Declines to Hear Cases on Teacher, Student Political Speech
The justices refused to take up the cases of a teacher fired over social media posts and a student who alleged harassment over his MAGA hat.
Mark Walsh, June 30, 2025
5 min read