Social media as source of informal education

Education has always been linked with institutions like schools, universities and training centres. However, nowadays with digital age, education is not in a classroom. Social media networks have grown to be one of the most powerful informal education systems in our era that have shaped the way people think, act and perceive the world.
As opposed to conventional education, social media is not based on pedagogical principles. Algorithms rather than teachers determine what content is popularised, recycled or pushed to the periphery. The visibility elements are propelled by engagement metrics and not accuracy, depth, or social value. Consequently, emotionally powering and simplified information tends to become more noticeable in comparison to subtle and evidence-based information.
This informal education is very strong among the youth. To several people, social media has become the main source of information regarding mental health, politics, religion, relationships, and self-development. Although there are good things that this democratisation of information has brought, it has also contributed to the blurring of the line between expertise and opinion. Raising beliefs and behaviours with no responsibility is the role that the influencer who is not educated takes.
In addition, social media does not merely relay information, but it actually reorganises thinking patterns. Videos that are of short length do not demand deep thinking but quick and immediate viewing. It strengthens certain versions by repetition, and personalisation algorithms restrict the exposure to different versions.
From an educational perspective, this is what can be termed as a hidden curriculum. Social media instils values, norms, and assumptions which either come in the form of repetition, visibility, and social validation. However, the vast majority of users do not have enough media literacy to be sceptical of sources, detect bias, or even know how algorithms influence their views. This is a loophole that exposes learners to misinformation and manipulation.
The presence of content creators makes the situation even more problematic. Most creators are driven by business forces, and they use sponsorships and monetisation of the platforms. The value of education is prone to conflict with the market value and thus over-simplifying or sensationalising. The question in this respect is no longer whether social media educates or not, but whether it is responsible for its education.
To overcome this task, it is not necessary to dismiss social media as an educational space. Educational institutions, instead, need to recognise its impact and implement media literacy, critical thinking and digital ethics into the official curricula.