Social media literacy should be a required school subject

Too close to call
Updated 2026-08-15 4 supporting · 4 opposing arguments
PRO 1.22CON 1.19
Pro 35% · Con 34% — Nuanced 31% — evidence balanced
What the evidence says moderate
Based on the strength of the Arguments below

Supporting Arguments

P1Students need skills for a pervasive online environment
P2Instruction can improve misinformation resistance
P3School courses can work with younger students
P4A requirement can reduce unequal access to guidance

Opposing Arguments

C1Evidence does not establish the best policy format
C2Poor implementation could add burden without benefit
C3Literacy education cannot solve structural platform harms
C4Surveillance-based programs could undermine student privacy

Figures & data

Pew Research Center (2024) chart showing the share of U.S. teens using YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat and other platforms, plus frequency of near-constant use
Source: Pew Research Center, Teens, Social Media and Technology 2024
View figure at source: WHO/HBSC, Teens, Screens and Mental Health report (2024)

All contributions are reviewed for clarity, balance, and evidence. The strongest insights are elevated into the argument graph — with credit to you.

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