The Future of Education

The ever-growing use of social media [1] has profoundly impacted nearly every aspect of people’s lives, extending beyond interpersonal relationships to permanently influence entertainment, education, work, business, marketing, and, finally, political and social movements. The vast influence of social media is far-reaching, multifaceted, and undeniable. This paper analyzes perspectives on the informational and educational aspects of social media engagement. The views analyzed are from participants in the course ‘Informational and Educational Aspects of Social Media,’ where reflecting on the impact of social media on communication and education is a critical part of the learning process. This course is part of the ‘ICT and Learning’ study program offered as further education for professional teachers by Nord University, Norway. The analysis focuses on the participants’ views shared through blog posts, which were assigned as a form of reflective practice. The method used in this study was content analysis. Among the three thematic areas suggested for written reflections, the vast majority chose "Problematic Social Media Use," with a predominant focus on social media’s negative impact on young people’s mental health. Numerous studies have addressed the risk factors related to problematic social media engagement [2] and mechanisms underlying its connection to mental health [3]. Our analysis offers insights into the concerns of teachers in Norway and provides cues on how to further develop the course to better meet their professional development needs and expectations, particularly regarding the complex dynamics of social media use among younger populations.