Social media… not so much social and even though the media is true, a means of mass communication. But is it the type of communication we want to be exposing ourselves to? And is it a way we want to communicate? Is social media still the bridge that connects us, or has it become a barrier to meaningful communication? I really want to know what you think.
We know that X (or Twitter) has changed hugely over the last year or so. It is more divisive than ever and if you are not willing to put money into it then do not expect to get any traction. Since Musk took it over we have seen our interactions with you all on there drop off a cliff. Now, there are even debates about whether schools should be on there. So, last year, we made the decision to pull away from there. We loved seeing what you were up to but it was getting hard to even find that in amongst the negativity and toxicity on there. We are not the only ones concerned with how things were going there. The European Commission has initiated an investigation into X’s algorithmic practices, particularly concerning the amplification of far-right content ahead of elections. Ultimately, the platform itself did not align with our ethos and values. So, we made the decision to move away from using it.
Shifting to Facebook, we’re also reflecting on changes this platform is making in January 2025. These range from no longer fact checking, relaxing rules on posts that marginalise groups from LGBT+ and hate speech, restricting the reach of business posts and more. I’ve seen many friends’ business pages deleted without explanation or recourse, which raises concerns about our own presence on the platform. We have over 11,000 of you who have liked our page here and Facebook could decide to delete us from you all overnight, with no reasoning for it. That is a worry.
TikTok, Instagram, and LinkedIn each offer unique ways to connect, but they come with their own challenges. TikTok is great for short, creative content, but that shortform video content can take an age to produce and we are only a wee team What is more, this week has shown how quickly platforms can be disrupted, and with the overall decline in social media use, it feels less reliable for long-term engagement. Instagram allows us to share inspiring snapshots of outdoor learning, while LinkedIn provides a space to connect with like-minded professionals and organisations. However, even LinkedIn has its downsides—recently, we’ve noticed an increase in very disturbing and inappropriate messages, which can make engaging on the platform feel less safe and welcoming.
Another concern on these platforms is cancel culture. Last week the news was filled with wildfires devastating parts of America and the UK experiencing its hottest year on record. I felt compelled to write a blog to help educators navigate these pressing topics in their classrooms. As someone with a Master’s in Learning for Sustainability and years of experience fostering conversations about climate and environmental education, I understand the importance of addressing these issues thoughtfully. However, the increasingly polarised nature of social media and the potential for backlash from climate denial gave me pause. These discussions require not only factual accuracy but also sensitivity to the emotional and mental health implications for both teachers and students. Last week, I realised I didn’t have the energy to face potential backlash on social media, even though the blog could have supported educators. Cancel culture held me back
Studies have shown that overuse of social media can negatively impact mental health, particularly in education, where burnout rates are already high. We all know that mental health in education is at a low. So, should we be using this as a way to share information with you or, should I find other ways?
We have our mailing list and I am really proud of what we share there. Emails cut a lot of the fear to share though we do get some stoaters back sometimes as people forget that it really is a middle aged woman who is trying her best at the other end of the screen. Cancel culture started on social media but now extends to email and what some people think it is ok to say. That being said, we get some gorgeous emails and I feel that we really are developing not just working relationships but actual friendships from them. It is increasingly impossible to build real, meaningful relationships on social media.
In amongst all of this is also the time aspect. As a small team, we’re constantly balancing our time and energy to ensure we provide the best support to you. Creating meaningful content for social media with regular updates for Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn, takes significant time and effort. Time is ultimately a resource in short supply. Would it be better for you if we spent it creating resources, developing new workshops, lesson plans, helpful blogs, or direct support for you all as educators. While social media offers opportunities to connect, its demands can often feel overwhelming for a team our size. This makes it even more important for us to evaluate whether our efforts are being spent in the right places to have the greatest impact.
So, what is the answer? How can we support you while caring for both your and my mental health? Would you rather see posts of high quality content on our website? Is it a case of moving away from social media and instead solely using email? Or is there something else we can do? I would love to hear your thoughts on it as it really will determine how we communicate with you moving forward.
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