How do we keep young voters in our classrooms informed about an upcoming election when assessments are looming and the time for questions is limited? Compared with the attention given to the 2020 US election on social media, I noticed a disparity with our elections - such as the Scottish Parliament election tomorrow - and took to Instagram to fill that space for my little corner of the world.
Instagram’s “story” feature allows users to share content for 24 hours. This content can include opinion polls and multiple-choice quizzes. After setting up an account, I posted information addressing common questions that pupils had been asking in the weeks preceding the election. I used these as starters and plenary tasks in class. I also shared infographics explaining how to evaluate the reliability of sources (a crucial skill during election campaigns).
Instagram is an ideal platform for creating a more informed electorate among young people. Although YouTube is considered the most popular social media platform for this demographic, it would be surprising if many pupils passed up a Jamie Genevieve vlog to learn about Scotland’s voting system instead. They could be tapping through their friends’ stories on Instagram and suddenly they’re asked “what is the 2nd biggest party in Scottish Parliament at the moment?” It takes a fraction of a second to select an answer and, if correct, it turns green and bursts with digital confetti.
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Many young people check Instagram multiple times a day, even at the beginning of classes (which I discovered when I asked one student to put their phone away, to which they responded, “Miss, I’m doing today’s quiz”). I could tell my Instagram account was sparking conversations among students by the number that I do not directly teach who began to follow it. I also noted that students who interacted with the account were more informed when there were brief opportunities to discuss the election.
Scottish election 2021: Using Instagram to encourage students to vote
I set up the account around two weeks ago. Here’s what has worked for me so far:
1. Don’t follow from your personal account
Students can easily search the followers for your name and picture. You are entitled to your privacy.
2. Keep it public
There is no pressure for students to follow you. Their privacy is just as important as yours and they may wish to scroll without others being able to find their profile.
3. DMs off limits
In the profile bio, I have been explicit that I don’t read direct messages. Students have numerous ways of contacting us through their school channels.
4. Turn off comments
Enabling comments means having to read and interact with responses, which could be time-consuming.
In the future, I’m hoping to expand the account’s use for revision and extension tasks or to have students create content that could be shared (particularly if they are passionate about an issue).
Social media is often criticised for its negatives, but it’s also where many young people (and older people) get their news. We can join in by providing educational content that extends beyond the classroom. Let’s do what teachers do best: adopt something young people do and take the risk that, as a result, it is no longer considered cool!
Amy Macneil is a modern studies and history teacher in Scotland. She is on Twitter and Instagram @missmacneil_
