Social media has become a defining element of the connected age, representing the acceleration of globalisation, the democratisation of information and the evolution of communication and the way we interact with one another.

While the role of social media in our society is, for the most part, clear to see, you may be surprised to learn that social platforms are now playing an important role in the way we learn. And, according to a new report by online education platform FutureLearn, the significance of this role may be set to increase further in coming years.

In a study of thousands of adults across Australia, the US and the United Kingdom, FutureLearn and YouGov found that 22% of millennials and 37% of Generation Z are turning to social media platforms to educate themselves. This is particularly true when it comes to social and political topics, such as Black Lives Matter, gender equality and environmental concerns.

An even larger percentage of all adults across all three countries believe that social media will play a role in solving some of these issues. Nearly 40% of those surveyed said they think education will help future generations to solve the world’s biggest issues, such as climate change. Undoubtedly, social media will play a crucial role in this, facilitating social movements and allowing increasing access to information for people worldwide.

The report also found a demand for education to be integrated directly into social media, suggesting that these platforms may play an increasingly important role in the evolving history of learning. The study cited that nearly a quarter those surveyed would like to see educational features on social platforms. It also found that, when it comes to learning about social justice and the environment, social media is already leading the way, with most people choosing to find information via YouTube and Facebook.

Of course, there are concerns around the growing role of social media and digital delivery in education. The report, which features 15 experts in education, technology and culture, also cited issues around the digital divide, which has increased dramatically during the pandemic. Millions of people all over the world do not have access to the Internet, or even to basic technology, and several of the experts warned that education could widen this divide with continued integration of modern technology.

Despite this, those surveyed still expect technology to play a crucial role in the future of learning, with nearly half of respondents believing education will be delivered digitally in the future.