Gaining Perspective: Social Media’s Impact on Adolescent Literacy Development

Abstract

This qualitative study explores both teacher and student perspectives of social media’s impact on adolescent literacy development. In addition, it also investigates perspectives concerning if and how social media could be integrated into a classroom to improve student literacy skills. Research remains in dispute regarding the impact of social media use on literacy skills, as there are studies that claim social media both positively and negatively impacts students’ skills. Surveys of both teachers and students as well as semi-structured interviews of students were given and analyzed to gain insight concerning both the impact of social media on literacy skills, as well as if and how social media could be used in the classroom.