TikToks For Change: How students are using social media to advocate for issues they care about
Content warning: This article contains content that may be sensitive to students. Please review the content of this post before sharing it with your students.
Be sure to check out the suggested Huddle question at the bottom of this article to discuss this important topic with your students in class, if you feel it is appropriate.
Did you know that when students’ voices are heard, they are eight times more likely to be engaged in the classroom? Harvard Graduate School of Education says that educators listening to students’ voices can help schools create policies that support students’ development more effectively. This is because students bring unique perspectives to issues that can be helpful when coming up with solutions, highlighting the importance of empowering them to join the conversation.
Amplifying student voices can benefit both students and educators. When we empower students to use their mics for good and share their perspectives, they can change their world or communities, as demonstrated by some Chicago students who are advocating for social issues like gun violence through social media campaigns.
Let’s dive into what these students are doing and how educators can empower students to use their mics for good both in and out of the classroom.
How students everywhere are using their mics for good and making change
Students worldwide are harnessing the power of their voices for positive change. Whether advocating for environmental issues on Earth Day or addressing pressing concerns like gun violence, students recognize the impact they can have both online and offline.
Gun violence is an issue that impacts students, with half of Gen Z students reporting that they think about mass shootings weekly, so involving students in discussions can be impactful. One organization, Project Unloaded, is letting students take the reins in social media campaigns that work to change how people view this issue.
The non-profit organization is working to change the narrative on gun violence by locking arms with students and meeting them where they are – on social media. These students are giving feedback on the organization’s content on social media. They’re making campaigns like TikToks talking about the issue of gun violence and a text program that sends out stats on gun safety. These student-led campaigns are actively creating change – 15% of students reported that their view on the issue shifted after seeing Project Unloaded content. Educators can draw inspiration from initiatives like these to demonstrate to students the potential for change by amplifying their voices through social media and tech.
TSI’s Take
Research shows that only 48% of students feel heard by adults in their schools, a sentiment echoed by students involved in Project Unloaded.
However, through open dialogue and collaboration with Project Unloaded, students discovered ways to make the campaign more effective for their peers, use their voices, and create a campaign that raises awareness for a topic they’re passionate about—and they did it using social media.
About half of Gen Z students say they get news about current events daily on their social media feeds. Because so many students use social media to engage with the world, it is a powerful tool to advocate for social issues, just like the students getting involved with Project Unloaded by making TikTok videos. Educators have a unique opportunity to meet students where they are and empower them to use social media as a news source and an opportunity to share their voices and talk about the issues they care about.
The students in Project Unloaded provide a great opportunity for educators to emphasize to students that their voices matter and can make a difference. By encouraging students to express their passions and collaborate with their peers on issues affecting their communities, educators foster a culture of citizenship and innovation. When students are empowered to share their voices, they learn to make responsible decisions and advocate for themselves. Students, no matter their age, have the power to make substantial changes in their schools, communities, and the world.
Check out these tips on empowering students to use their mics for good:
- Your voice matters: Emphasize the importance of students speaking up about what they are passionate about. Ask students about the issues they care about and what they can do in their own communities to address them.
- Work with others: Involve students in discussions about making change. Have students choose an issue impacting their community and encourage them to work with classmates to brainstorm ways they can raise awareness.
- Be creative: Empower students to be innovative as they advocate for issues they care about, like using writing, painting, videos, or even social media trends to spread awareness and get others involved. Challenge your students to discuss an issue they care about using a trending TikTok sound!
Any student can use their mic for good to make the change they want to see in the world. Amplifying student voices is the key to empowering them to get involved with issues they care about, like the students working with Project Unloaded. To learn more about amplifying student voice and empowering students to use their mics for good, check out the #WinAtSocial Lesson, Using social media to tackle some of our generation’s biggest challenges.
#WinAtSocial Huddle Question
Huddle with your students
Think of a social issue in your school or the world that you really care about. How can you use social media to spread awareness for that cause?
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.