Seven insights from elementary students on how they are navigating technology and social media
Elementary students are using their devices more than ever before, with the average daily screen time for 8 – 12-year-olds increasing to five hours and 33 minutes from four hours and 44 minutes in 2019.
As they begin to navigate technology (and even some social media platforms) more and more, it’s essential to set students up early with the skills to think critically and make high-character decisions. By empowering students at a young age to make positive choices, we can help fuel their success later on in life, both online and offline.
At The Social Institute, we gathered insights from over 5,800 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders in our Annual Student Kickoff Survey to get their thoughts on what they are experiencing, from acts of kindness and positive tech use to responsible decision-making in their school community. Huddle up with us as we explore 7 surprising insights we learned from these 3rd – 5th grade students, and how you can use these insights to fuel success in your school. Let’s dive in!
Insight #1: The majority of elementary school students find that their peers are kind, online and offline
We found that 68% of 3,351 fifth graders reported that they often or always see others being kind to each other, both in group chats and in person. While we want all students to be kind to one another, it’s positive that the majority of students are seeing their peers be compassionate. Luckily, kindness is contagious, and the more students show support for one another, whether through cyberbacking or kind acts in the classroom, the better.
Empowering elementary school students to be kind and support one another can not only reduce bullying in the community, but it can also increase peer acceptance and gratitude, and create happy and caring students. To fuel kindness in your classroom, huddle with your students about acts of kindness they’ve seen online and offline. You can use #WinAtSocial to huddle with students and run problem-solving scenarios with them on what they’d do if they see bullying, or how they can make others feel included in activities like class projects or gaming online. By doing this, elementary students will be empowered to spread kindness in their community and make their school a more inclusive environment.
Insight #2: 60%+ of students feel confident that their choices are right, even if they aren’t easy
It is not always easy to do the right thing, especially if the majority of those around us don’t agree on what the right thing is. However, when we asked 3rd graders if they would often or always choose to do what they think is right, even if others disagree, 65% said they would. More specifically, 64% of 1,649 fourth graders reported that they often or always feel confident speaking up to a classmate doing something mean or hurtful or talking to a trusted adult about the situation in question.
The key to empowering students to handle the pressure of doing what is right, even if others don’t agree, is helping them build confidence in making positive choices. Students often don’t speak up for others or do what is right because of a fear of judgment. But, #WinAtSocial empowers educators to huddle with students and remind them of the benefits of positive decision-making. By helping students build character and reach long-term goals, students will feel more confident to do the right thing, no matter the scenario.
Insight #3: Most elementary students feel like they can trust the adults at their school
When asked about positive role models, 70% of 3,351 fifth graders reported that they often or always feel like they can go to an adult at their school to get advice and work through challenges. Students can’t be what they can’t see, and having positive influences in school is important so that elementary students have someone they can model their behavior after. These role models also serve as a source of assistance for elementary students and can remind them that they don’t have to navigate challenges on their own.
To make sure your students have a role model they can look up to in their school, huddle with them through #WinAtSocial on positive influences they have at the school, and what the adults in their community can do to support them. Huddling with students on these important topics helps educators know what they need to do to create effective learning environments and strengthen the relationship between students and their teachers.
Insight #4: 40% of 3rd graders surveyed are watching video content made for older students
60% of 730 third graders shared that they would often or always watch videos (on YouTube, Netflix, or other websites) that are appropriate for kids their age. For younger students, this is a perfect example of what playing to your core successfully looks like. Playing to your core is all about making sure your actions reflect your values and beliefs, and not acting in inappropriate ways, even when you feel pressured.
It’s encouraging that many third graders want to play to their core online and not view content that may be age-inappropriate, but the whole school community must be empowered to play to their core. Why? Because our actions reflect who we are, and as students get older and join social media, what they do online will follow them their whole lives. This will become even more important when they apply for colleges and admission officers view their social media accounts. Equipping students with the skills to play to their core at a young age will help them to make positive choices, online and off, and protect their reputation.
To empower your students to play to their core, you can use #WinAtSocial to huddle with them on the magic of a positive reputation, asking questions like: “How can having a good reputation help you both now and in the future?”
Insight #5: Privacy is a concern for elementary students
When asked how they protect their privacy online, only 54% of 1,649 fourth graders reported that they often or always take time to see how a new app might share their personal information. At their age, when they are not on as many social media platforms, this might not seem like such a big deal. But, as these students get older and begin to join popular platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, and more, it’s important that they are equipped with skills to examine how companies are using their personal information.
Losing control of privacy can be a significant stressor for students, which may ultimately hurt their ability to learn in the classroom. While some elementary students are already examining what information they share and how they share it, ensure all of your students can protect their privacy online by huddling with them on the data created by their actions online. This can help students analyze how apps use their personal data and protect themselves from losing control of their privacy.
Insight #6: Many students know how to strike a balance with their devices, but still struggle
Devices can be a great resource for students to learn new information and connect with others, but they can also serve as a distraction. 52% of 730 third graders reported that they often or always finish their homework before playing games or using screens for fun. Their ability to strike a balance between their devices and important tasks helps them accomplish their goals on a short and long-term basis.
Knowing how to strike a balance with devices is useful at any age, and equipping all students with the skills to effectively put their devices away will serve them well throughout life. Huddle with your students on different strategies they use to strike a balance with technology, as well as tools they can use to help them, such as the Forest App or The Social Institute’s Screen Time Pyramid.
Insight #7: Students want to be a positive part of their community
One of the most encouraging insights elementary school students shared with us is that 80% of 3,351 fifth graders reported that they often or always find ways to help others and be a positive part of their community. Students want to contribute to their school and the greater community in positive ways, and by equipping students with the skills and resources to use their mic for good, they’ll be able to do so.
The key to helping students bring positive change to the community is empowering them to create and voice their own ideas for improving the world around them. Huddle with your students on ways they can make the world around them a better place, such as volunteering at an animal shelter or working with your school to create a food pantry for the local community. In a great example, Washington D.C. first-graders teamed up with WeRateDogs to create change for adoptable dogs in their community. Once elementary school students know that their voices are heard, they will work to use their mic for good.
Fueling elementary students’ success in 2024 and beyond
By empowering elementary students to make high-character decisions with social media and tech, they will be equipped with the skills to make positive choices that will fuel their future success. With these insights, educators can better understand their students’ needs and support their well-being, online and offline. Interested in getting more student insights on high-character decision-making while you empower them to build the skills to navigate social media and tech in positive ways? Learn how #WinAtSocial equips students starting in 3rd grade plus families of all students.
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The Social Institute (TSI) is the leader in empowering students by understanding students. Through #WinAtSocial, our gamified, peer-to-peer learning platform, we equip students, educators, and families to navigate their social world – in the classroom and beyond, online and offline – in healthy, high-character ways. Our unique, student-respected approach empowers and equips, rather than scares and restricts. We incorporate timely topics about social media, tech use, and current events that are impacting student well-being and learning. #WinAtSocial Lessons teach life skills for the modern day, capture student voice, and provide school leaders with actionable insights. Through these insights, students play an essential role in school efforts to support their own health, happiness, and future success as we enable high-impact teaching, meaningful family conversations, and a healthy school culture.