Social Media for Teaching Empathy, Civil and Moral Development, and Critical Thinking

Abstract

There is a growing argumentative, hostile element found in many parts of society today; this growth, combined with increasing anonymity in online communications, suggests a dire need for youth to be harnessed with skills for civil deliberation. Numerous educational scholars have highlighted the importance for educational entities to consider utilizing youths' digital interests for teaching and learning. Additionally, recent research conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic found social media used for online education helped engage students in experiential learning and created positive feelings. Thus, a discussion of advantages to using social media is presented for fostering youths' skills in critical thinking, empathy, community, culture, deliberation, discovery, and more, so they might effectively contribute to their society and have a better, fuller understanding of the world around them. Sample curricula for teaching the deliberative arts via social media is included.