Social media is like a magic communication highway connecting students, parents, and the community in real time. You can share updates, events, and announcements faster than you can say “homework deadline,” which is pretty awesome. This post aims to highlight the pros and cons of social media for school websites .
But there are so many platforms out there, from Facebook and Twitter to Instagram and TikTok, plus a whole buffet of school communication tools. Schools need to be smart about their choices. It’s not just about picking the trendiest app; it’s about figuring out which platform has the right vibe for their audience. They need to know who they’re talking to and how to engage those folks in a way that makes them want to listen.
So, yeah, thoughtful decision-making here is key. It’s about squeezing every drop of benefit from social media while keeping the online space welcoming and inclusive. After all, who wants to create a virtual jungle? Let’s keep it real and make this online world a better place for everyone.
Table of Contents
- Which Platform To Use
- Should We Use Social Media Over Our Website for the Latest News?
- Positive Use of Social Media
- Community Building
Which Platform To Use
If you are going to use social media for a school then it is important to identify which social media platform works best for you. Take a look at this article explaining how to build a “social media wall” on your website. Only you will be able to identify which will work best but we do have some useful input that can be taken into account:
Instagram, great for showcasing high quality visual content. If you are a school that captures lots of high quality photos then instagram is a great place to showcase this content to your stakeholders. If you are looking for a place to get messages and information across then Instagram may not be the best tool. We also find that Instagram has the smallest take up when it comes to parents following a school on socials. Instagram is a great platform to advertise your sixth form or college offer to prospective students.
Twitter/X, This was the go to platform for many schools as it offered a place to get a message out fast and could easily be incorporated into the schools website. However it has recently undergone lots of changes and is now described as a place that can be toxic with a very heavy bot presence. Recent updates to API limits also restrict the amount of updates you can display on your school website without paying extortionate fees. If you have already built up a large following then it may be worth persevering with but we no longer recommend this platform for website integration.
Facebook, currently the most popular option with schools and it is quite easy to see why, easy to manage by numerous members of your staff, a comments section that works well. And a large selection of settings and multiple website integration options. At the moment this is the platform we recommend. One consideration is that facebook is becoming less popular with a younger audience. This may become an issue in the future when you are wanting a place to contact a wider audience.
Should We Use Social Media Over Our Website for the Latest News?
There are arguments for and against using social media platforms for posting your news, here are a few that we think may be of use:
For using social media to post news
- Quick, most users will post straight from a mobile device that is already logged in
- Easy to add photos and images as these can be taken on the same device that posts the news
- Targeted reach to only users who “follow” you
- Privacy, you can lock down an account so that people have to request follow access
Against using social media
- Audience have to be following the account to see the post
- It drives traffic away from your school website
- If you post on your website then you are regularly updating content which is great for your SEO
- Some local authorities block social media completely meaning updates would need to be made off the school network
- Searchable, social media posts quickly go out of date and are never to be seen again, content on your website will always be there and can even be repurposed regularly.
Positive Use of Social Media
If used correctly and with a bit of thought behind it then social media can be used in a number of positive ways in a school setting.
- SEO, you can post on your website and then publish the website page/post on your social media channel, this drives traffic to your website and the backlinks are great for SEO.
- Speed, if you need to get an urgent targeted message out then social media is a great platform, but use it alongside your usual/alternative communication platforms.
- Efficient, there are many methods to show a social media feed on your website, this can be great if you simply do not have the capacity to update the website regularity but want to show up to date information
- Attractive, with numerous methods of embedding social media on your website, there is no excuse for the bog standard scrolling embed provided as default.
- Community Building, I cover this more below.
Community Building
Social media can be great for schools and their communities—it’s like a superpower that brings everyone closer together. By sharing stories, celebrating wins, and kicking off conversations, schools can create an online vibe where students, parents, teachers, and locals all feel like they belong.
Sharing Success Stories: Celebrating student achievements—whether they’re nailing tests, scoring goals, or crushing creative projects—pumps up pride for students and parents alike. Plus, it gives parents the chance to brag about their kids!
Behind-the-Scenes Content: Imagine how awesome it would be for parents to sneak a peek into daily school life! Sharing pics of science experiments, dramatic rehearsals, or the latest from school trips helps parents feel way more plugged into what’s going on with their kids.
Engaging Conversations: Social media isn’t just for mindless scrolling; it’s a treasure trove for real talk. Schools can throw out questions, run polls, or ask for feedback on new ideas to kick off discussions. This kind of interaction makes parents and community folks feel like their voices matter.
Community Events and Collaborations: Show off those partnerships with local organisations, hype up school events, and share how the community can jump in. Whether it’s a fundraising drive or an invite to a school concert, keeping everyone in the loop strengthens those bonds and builds support.
Harnessing social media to improve community ties, schools can create a lively, welcoming atmosphere where everyone is part of the experience. It’s all about making connections and proving that the school is a crucial player in the local scene. So, let’s get out there and shake things up!