It’s a digital world! And, I am not a digital girl🤷🏾‍♀️. It’s a sad fact, but teaching definitely isn’t what it used to be. Our students are bombarded by a ton of stimuli that is bidding for their attention. In today’s digital age, social media plays a significant role in students’ lives. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube provide instant gratification, engaging visuals, and interactive experiences that can make traditional learning methods seem dull in comparison. However, we do still stand a chance. We can rise to the challenge by adopting innovative strategies to capture and sustain students’ focus. But, how? The following are the best strategies teachers can use in the classroom to compete with social media.

Integrate Technology into Lessons

I know this isn’t what you want to hear. I know these are “bad words”, but reality is that technology isn’t going away. Social media is a part of our students’ everyday lives. It’s not going away. No, your students won’t stop being social media zombies any time soon. So, if you can’t beat them then find a way to use it to your advantage.

What are the Best Strategies Teachers Can use in the Classroom to Compete with Social Media?

As I said earlier, you won’t win the war against social media, but you can level the playing field. How? You start by incorporate educational apps, videos, or online tools into your lessons to make learning interactive and relatable. For example:

• Use platforms like Kahoot! to help you create games and other educational activities for your students.
• Leverage educational YouTube channels to explain complex concepts. I have found that when my students claim that they can’t understand me they can understand it better from a video online. So, I don’t fight the power. I simple find a video to help explain a concept. I place it inside of their Google Classroom, and I also show it during class if it’s a short video.

Why Does Social Media work for Your Students?

Students are already comfortable with technology. By incorporating familiar tools, you bridge the gap between their digital world and the classroom, turning potential distractions into powerful learning aids.

Use Social Media to Gamify the Classroom Experience

What? 😱Yes, you heard me right. You can use tech games to compete with social media in your classroom. This is a great strategy to help regain the attention of your students. How? You start by creating game-based learning activities such as point systems, leaderboards, or badges for achievements. For instance:

• Use platforms like ClassDojo to reward positive behavior and participation. I love ClassDojo. We used it at the school I just transferred from, and it helped to curve misbehavior. Best of all, it made those little angel sit up and pay attention to their lessons.

Why? For one thing, their parents  also had access to ClassDojo. This allowed them to see how their child was doing throughout the school day. Game Changer!!!

• Design classroom challenges where students earn points for completing tasks or answering questions. Combine this with ClassDojo points, and your students will be almost fighting to earn those extra points.

Why Does Gamifying Your Classroom Work?

Games activate the brain’s reward center, encouraging participation and engagement. Students become motivated to “win,” shifting their attention from social media to classroom goals. Even my 9^th grade students get excited about playing games. (And, they are waaaayyyy too cool to do that! 🫢)

Use Social Media to Foster Interactive Discussions

Oh, no! Here’s that nasty word again…social media. But, you can make it work to your advantage. Pick a “trending” topic and let your students discuss the issue. (Again, check out my post on Pop Culture.)  You can even assign group projects based off of the newest social media craze or issue.  

• Pose open-ended questions and allow students to share their opinions.
• Use think-pair-share activities where students discuss ideas with a partner before presenting to the class.

Why It Works

Social media thrives on interaction. By mirroring this with interactive discussions, you satisfy students’ need for connection and validation. Remember, these are teens and tweens, and they need to feel “seen” and “important”. Compete with social media in your classroom by using social media itself as a spring board for discussion/debate can help to deepen their understanding of the subject matter.

Use Social Media to Make Content Relatable

One of the questions I get all the time since I returned to junior high school is, “What does this have to do with me?” So, it is imperative that we make our lessons relevant. How? You’re your lesson topics to real-world examples or popular trends.

• Use viral trends or memes as icebreakers to introduce topics.
• Relate math problems or science experiments to things students encounter online or in their daily lives.

Why It Works

I was talking to my sister the other day, and we both agreed that this new generation of students are only concerned with things that “directly” impact them. They want relevance. So, using pop culture or things that are “trending” helps them to get a clear picture of what is really happening and how your lesson impacts them.  As a result, they are more likely to pay attention. And, they are more likely to form a personal connection to the material you are covering.

Use Social Media in Your Classroom to Incorporate Visual and Multimedia Elements

When you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. And, you can’t beat these platforms when it comes to visually appealing material. Places like Instagram are full of pretty pictures and images. So, how can you compete?

*Present lessons with colorful slides, videos, and infographics.

• Use Canva or other graphic design platforms to design visually appealing handouts.
• Incorporate GIFs or short video clips to explain concepts or add humor.

Why It Works

Most social media platforms are visually driven. They cater to our students’ short attention spans with eye-catching content. By mimicking this style, you make lessons more engaging and easier to understand.

Use Social Media in Your Classroom to Encourage Creativity

I know they don’t always act like it, but our students are very talented. So, how can you using this knowledge to compete with social media for your students’ attention? Allow students to create content as part of their assignments.

• Let them design posters, record videos, or write blog-style reflections. One of my teacher besties allowed her students to record a podcast episodes and publish them as a class assignment. Normally disengaged students were even excited to work on this project.
• Introduce project-based learning where students showcase their work in a creative format. This format can be in the form of short video clips similar to Instagram and YouTube shorts.

Why This Works

Social media appeals to students because it provides a platform for self-expression. By allowing your students some creative freedom in assignments, you are satisfying this desire while reinforcing key concepts.

Social media isn’t going away, and rather than viewing it as the enemy, you can leverage its appeal to enhance your teaching. By integrating technology and social media trends, you can capture your students’ focus and make learning as compelling as the social media platforms they love.

Happy Teaching!!!

Other Articles to Read:

https://2cuteclassroom.blogspot.com/2025/02/building-real-connections-with-our.html

Other Videos to Watch: