Teachers across the country say social media misinformation is affecting instruction, with many spending class time correcting inaccurate details students learned online, according to a new national survey exclusively given to The Center Square.
Sixty-seven percent of teachers surveyed said they have had to correct or “un-teach” inaccurate information students picked up from YouTube, TikTok or similar media platforms. Over 49% of teachers say this occurs more than once.
The findings suggest that as digital content becomes more integrated into student learning, teachers are increasingly tasked with addressing inaccurate or misleading information alongside traditional instruction.
The survey, conducted by online education provider K12, included responses from 503 parents and 505 K-12 teachers nationwide. The poll was designed to examine how digital creators and platforms are influencing student learning and classroom instruction.
Students spend over 260 hours per year watching educational content on YouTube or other platforms, according to the study. Seventy-three percent of parents said their children watch educational videos online, and 89% said their children’s grades have improved as a result.
