For today’s children, learning doesn’t begin with opening a textbook it starts with a swipe. A nine-year-old scrolling TikTok may stumble on a science experiment explained in 30 seconds, while an eleven-year-old on YouTube might discover history lessons through animation more engaging than any classroom lecture.

Generation Alpha the cohort born from 2010 onwards are the first to grow up in a world where social media platforms are as much classrooms as they are playgrounds. But this shift sparks a big question: can social media really replace, or at least complement, traditional education?

The New “Teachers” in Town

Unlike earlier generations who turned to libraries or television, Gen Alpha learns in a hyper-digital environment. Platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram serve as daily sources of knowledge whether it’s learning coding basics, exploring climate change, or mastering a new language.

For them, creators and influencers often hold the same authority as teachers.
Short, visually engaging content matches their attention span and offers instant gratification. Yet, this “snackable” knowledge comes with risks oversimplification, lack of accuracy, and the potential to blur the line between fact and opinion.

Where Schools Fit In

Rather than competing with social media, schools could integrate it into learning. Some educators are already experimenting with TikTok-style assignments, where students create bite-sized videos to explain concepts. This approach not only taps into Gen Alpha’s creativity but also teaches them how to communicate ideas effectively in a digital format.

Here, universities can also play a role by guiding future teachers to use digital platforms responsibly. At INTI International University, for example, initiatives around digital literacy emphasize preparing students not just as consumers of technology, but as creators who can turn these tools into meaningful learning experiences.

The Double-Edged Sword

Of course, social media is not without dangers. The algorithm-driven feeds can expose children to misinformation, harmful content, or distractions that take away from deeper learning. Parents and educators worry: are kids learning, or just scrolling?

The answer lies in balance. Social media should supplement, not replace, structured education. It can ignite curiosity, but formal schooling must provide depth, critical thinking, and the discipline of structured knowledge.

Lifelong Learning in a Digital Age

The real strength of social media as an educational tool is its ability to foster lifelong learning. Gen Alpha will face careers and challenges that don’t exist today. Platforms that encourage continuous exploration of ideas whether through a tutorial, podcast, or interactive video equip them with adaptability, a skill more valuable than memorizing facts.

But this requires intentional design. Educators, policymakers, and tech companies must collaborate to ensure these platforms support learning goals rather than undermine them.

A Future of Blended Learning

So, can TikTok replace textbooks? Probably not. But it can redefine how learning happens. Instead of choosing between one or the other, the future likely belongs to a blended model where social media becomes the spark, and schools provide the structure.

For Generation Alpha, education is no longer confined to four walls. Their classroom is everywhere: in the palm of their hands, in the videos they watch, and in the conversations they join online. If guided well, this could be the most empowered, informed, and innovative generation yet.

This is the author's personal view and does not necessarily represent the views or official position of RTM.

Dr. Saheera Binti Sardar Mohamed
Senior Lecturer Mass Communication
Faculty Business and Communication
INTI International University