In Australia, teachers become influencers while students face social media bans

In Australia, a peculiar phenomenon is unfolding in the education sector: schools and teachers are actively using social media platforms to create viral videos, despite laws prohibiting individuals under 16 from accessing certain platforms. This trend is particularly noticeable in public schools across New South Wales, where Instagram profiles have become a common communication tool.

School principals are quoted as saying that engaging Reels can be more effective than traditional "open days" for reaching parents. However, producing this content requires significant resources. Some schools have responded by employing their own content specialists, while others task already busy teachers with creating videos, often late into the evening, using tools like Canva.

For some educators, this social media engagement has evolved beyond a side activity. Emily Kristopher, a teacher from Queensland, transitioned into a full-time career as a comedian and content producer after her viral parody videos gained widespread attention. One of her clips, a humorous sketch about a teacher scolding a robber, garnered over 25 million views.

Other educators, like a primary school teacher in Sydney known online as "The Complete Teacher," use their platforms to highlight the daily challenges of the teaching profession alongside their full-time roles. This educator, however, draws a firm line regarding child privacy, emphasizing, "You must never use children for content," as reported by the "Sydney Morning Herald."

Concerns have been raised as many public school channels feature both staff and students in viral challenges or "day in the life" series. The Australian Federal Police have warned about the risks associated with seemingly harmless photos of students, noting that such images are frequently downloaded and misused. Consequently, some schools are now opting not to share identifiable photos of children and adolescents without explicit consent, highlighting the complex ethical considerations surrounding this new wave of educational marketing.