Purpose: The purpose of this conceptual paper is to describe how the affinity space concept has been used to frame learning via social media, and call for and discuss a refresh of the affinity space concept to accommodate changes in social media platforms and algorithms. Design/methodology/approach: Guided by a sociocultural perspective, this…

Purpose: Social media offers youth a virtual platform to build community and amplify underrepresented voices. Online spaces are often used to respond to societal issues and adopt various roles. This article aims to focus on Laura's case, spotlighting the intersection of online activism by a youth of Color, and social media literacies used to…

In today's world, technology is ubiquitous and rapidly evolving. As it evolves and new challenges emerge, educators will be tasked with teaching students about healthy and responsible management of their online lives. From late December 2023 to early January 2024, the EdWeek Research Center conducted a survey of teachers, school leaders, and…

The intersection of technology and social and emotional issues for kids is getting much busier. Students are now using social media sites like TikTok to diagnose themselves with anxiety and other mental health challenges. Counselors and teachers see more kids spend countless hours on social media--and then hear them complain they feel exhausted…

The current study examined the role of moral disengagement in cyberbullying participant role behavior among college-aged individuals. Participants included 434 students who completed surveys measuring their participation in cyberbullying, including online bystander role behaviors, as well as their moral disengagement. Regression analysis results…

This study explored the effects that social networking sites use has on the academic performance of middle school-aged students in a small district in California. It identified risks and benefits associated with social networking site use and how those affect student achievement. The study examined parental usage guidance and scrutinized…

According to recent Pew Center research (2021), 72% of the US public uses some form of social media. These social media apps -- from Twitter to Facebook to Snapchat to Instagram, Threads, TikTok, and more -- are utilized to establish our digital presence and portray our digital identities. For higher education institutions and student affairs…

The aim of this study was to examine the cyberloafing behaviors of middle school students during the lesson or while studying. Within the scope of this aim, cyberloafing levels of middle school students were examined by comparing them with the web platforms they use. For this research; which was modelled with explanatory sequential mixed pattern,…

In the current global scenario, the Internet is increasingly becoming a central informational medium that is transforming the way we learn, teach, and communicate. Social media offers a public platform that allows an exchange of thoughts and ideas through posts, tweets, and comments, albeit with word or character count restrictions. Evidently,…

The negativities experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic process had an impact not only on families but also on children. In this process, to eliminate the negativities in the field of education, distance education has been directed and online learning has become even more important. The use of media communication tools used for online learning…

In March of 2020, many schools including the high school where I teach in the southwest United States, shut down and moved all students to online learning due to a coronavirus. At the time, this virus (referred to as COVID-19) was just starting to pose a significant threat to the United States, yet had already claimed lives in other parts of the…

The misuse of the Internet that takes advantage of adolescents and young adults' lack of understanding along with their growing online presence has left them at risk. A study comprising 1,092 South Korean high school students investigated ways in which adolescents and young adults may be exploited while engaged in popular and everyday online…

Advances in technology offer new frontiers in terms of conquering temporal dimensions, but with more significant advancements in technology, there is the possibility of having a diminished return in terms of interpersonal relationships. Without necessarily decrying technology as the culprit of a decrease in human social interaction, this…

In an effort to move students beyond their typical understanding of social media, "the collaborative identity project" requires that they collectively contribute to one single, pseudonymous, online identity spanning five popular social websites over the course of one semester. In this enriching and thought-provoking exercise, students…

This narrative qualitative study aimed to explore the perceptions of using Twitter as an effective professional learning tool for public school secondary-level teachers in Missouri. In addition, the researcher sought to find the perceptions of teachers who used Twitter for professional use, what they found to be valuable in developing a…