How Social Media is Changing Student Behavior

Bullying has always been a challenge in middle schools, but today, it’s taken on a new and disturbing form. Kathryn Dusek, a middle school teacher in Southern California, has seen firsthand how social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube are influencing student behavior in ways that foster cruelty rather than connection.

“The level of bullying has been so much crueler,” she explains. “A lot of that is because the social media they are watching teaches them that being mean to someone is funny. Being cruel to someone gives you friends and followers.”

This shift in student behavior reflects a larger cultural issue. Many social media platforms thrive on content that rewards conflict, public embarrassment, and exclusion. Young minds—still developing their sense of empathy and social norms—are absorbing these messages daily.

Dusek points out another troubling trend: the way students now handle conflict. “If you have a disagreement with someone, social media teaches you to either cut them out of your life or go for some really petty revenge. And that's what we're seeing in our classrooms.”

It’s heartbreaking to witness students internalizing these messages, believing that relationships are disposable and cruelty is entertaining. As educators, we are often the first line of defense, helping students unlearn these harmful behaviors and guiding them toward healthier interactions.

But what if the problem isn’t just that social media normalizes cruelty—but that students don’t even recognize kindness as an option? The conversation needs to shift from just limiting negative influences to actively creating new ones. If students are constantly consuming content that celebrates exclusion and humiliation, then the antidote isn’t just blocking that content—it’s giving them something better to watch, read, and share.

One of the most effective ways to combat this issue is by integrating digital literacy and social-emotional learning into everyday conversations. Students need to understand how social media shapes their thoughts and behaviors, and they need tools to resist its negative influences. When we create spaces where they can openly discuss their experiences online—without fear of punishment or dismissal—they begin to reflect on their own actions and choices.

But we must go further. Schools, educators, and even students themselves can take an active role in reshaping the online world. What if classrooms encouraged students to create and share their own positive, uplifting content? What if we taught students not just to recognize harmful media but to flood the internet with examples of compassion, humor that doesn’t rely on cruelty, and conflict resolution that doesn’t end in cancellation?

Building a culture of trust and belonging in the classroom also plays a huge role. When students feel connected, seen, and valued, they are far less likely to seek validation through toxic online behaviors. Simple things—like morning check-ins, collaborative problem-solving, and emphasizing kindness as a classroom norm—can make a real difference in shifting the social dynamics they experience daily.

This work doesn’t stop at the classroom door. Parents, too, need support in understanding the digital worlds their children navigate. Schools can provide resources, workshops, and ongoing discussions to help families create healthy boundaries with technology and foster open communication about online experiences.

At the heart of this issue is the need for strong, positive relationships. Students must see that empathy and kindness are not just words on a poster but essential skills that will shape their futures. By addressing this together—with compassion and intention—we can begin to undo the damage social media has inflicted and create a learning environment where students feel safe, respected, and empowered. And perhaps most importantly, we can teach students that they don’t just have to resist toxic digital culture—they can redefine it.

Transcript:

How Social Media is Changing Student Behavior

"Bullying has always existed in middle schools forever, but the level of bullying has been so much crueler. And, um, I think a lot of that is because these students, their, their best friends were YouTube, TikTok, the social media that they were watching taught them that being mean to someone is funny.

Being cruel to someone make gives you friends and followers. If you have a disagreement with someone, the social media teaches. You either cut them out of your lives or go for some really petty revenge. And that's what we're seeing in our classrooms."

-Kathryn Dusek