Teachers using TikTok: A case of innovation or educational safeguarding risk?
Social media's influence permeates every aspect of our lives, and the educational sector is not immune to its allure. A growing trend has emerged among educators utilising TikTok to share their classroom experiences, instructional methods, and even moments with students.
TikTok, a platform renowned for its short, engaging videos, has seen a surge in content from teachers showcasing a day in their lives, instructional strategies, and classroom interactions.
Thomas Michael, a safeguarding lead, in an exclusive interview with ETIH, explained:
“In some cases, teachers are creating content in the classroom, with (in most cases) the camera focused on them at the board or their desk, but student's voices can be heard clearly. There have also been cases where students have been filmed but have their faces blurred.”
This movement has sparked a complex debate surrounding the implications for schools, student safeguarding, and the professional conduct of teachers.
As this phenomenon gains traction, primarily in North America but also observed in the UK, concerns regarding filming classroom activities - often featuring student participation, either audibly or visually - have come to the forefront. ETIH has seen these videos but chosen not to share them further to safeguard the children involved.
An experienced educator, Tom Brassington, voiced his apprehension on X (formally Twitter), stating, “I’m completely against teachers recording their primary aged students to promote themselves on TikTok. Whether the students are aware or not, it’s a real safeguarding issue.”
The primary safeguarding concern revolves around using personal devices to capture and share classroom moments. Michael told us:
"A teacher creating content about marking in PPA lessons, etc, is absolutely fine, but when your focus in the classroom is on your TikTok and the content you are creating rather than the students in your care, it's a worry. There are potential issues for students involved - even if they can only be heard, they could still potentially be identified. There is also the need to protect the members of staff. If you have your phone out filming things in class, you open yourself up to all sorts of accusations and allegations.”
“From what I saw when I was looking into this, a lot of students were aware of their teachers' accounts and were commenting on videos. Staff were interacting with those comments - on any other social media platform, that is an absolute no-no, but TikTok seems to be blurring the lines when it comes to boundaries for some reason.”
Alongside safeguarding concerns, the portrayal of the teaching profession on platforms like TikTok can also distort perceptions, setting unrealistic expectations for educators, especially those new to the field. The curated, often idealised images of classroom life can skew understanding of the realities of teaching, leading to misaligned expectations and potential professional disillusionment.
Not only that but these videos are recorded during school time when teachers are teaching children. In a conversation on X, Brassington went on to say in a separate post about teachers using teaching time to make videos:
“I think it’s irresponsible, it’s a waste of classroom time, and you could do a video easily that explains that process without having children involved. I also think a teacher’s phone shouldn’t be out in class.
“If I saw a colleague doing it in my school, I would talk to them about it. If it continued, I’d raise it as a safeguarding concern. I don’t know of any primary school policies that state a teacher can film their class and put it on their personal TikTok profile. Some may have one.”
The advice for teachers considering integrating social media into their teaching is unequivocal: prioritise education over digital engagement. Michael advised, “If you are considering filming during a lesson, don't. It's as simple as that for me. I don't think there is any compelling argument that will ever change my mind. From an official school account is one thing, but a personal social media account? Absolutely not.”
The safety and education of students must always come first. When asked how schools can educate teachers about the potential risks and implications of using TikTok in a professional setting, Michael told us, “I think reminding staff of the importance of protecting not only the students but also themselves is really key. Ultimately, when it comes to content filmed in the classroom, the question that needs to be asked is, what are you here for? You are here to teach to educate the students - they are not content opportunities for your channel.”
While TikTok and other platforms offer innovative avenues for teaching and engagement, the educational community must tread carefully. The safeguarding of students must always be the priority. Michael concludes, “Please think about what is more important - the education and the safety of the students that have been entrusted into your care or your social media profile.”
