How do secondary schools teach about social media?

As young people prepare to go back to school, research by MRF and the University of Bristol highlights significant gaps in how secondary schools current support children to safely navigate social media.

Digital and media literacy is a fundamental life skill, one that can not only inoculate young people from harm, but prepare them to thrive in the digital and AI economy of tomorrow.

Algorithmic literacy is particularly vital, with algorithmic recommendations playing a central role in exposing young people to online risks, from misinformation and conspiracies to suicide and self-harm material.

These findings point to deeply concerning gaps in how many schools currently support children to navigate social media, with limited curriculum time, little training and uneven provision across different topics and year groups. Limited support for algorithmic literacy is particularly concerning, pointing to missed opportunities ranging from suicide prevention to preparing children for future workplaces.

The briefing includes recommendations for building on recent curriculum changes to better prepare children for an online world.

The resource also shares clear, practical steps to help children stay in control of their online experiences, including how to respond when content feels upsetting, use platform tools, and seek support when needed. It encourages ongoing, supportive conversations so young people feel confident recognising and managing what appears in their feeds.