In a somewhat paradoxical situation, a large majority of teachers (73 percent) said they believe social media and texting are bad for students’ grammar and spelling, but 50 percent still use both to better understand their students, according to a new survey.
The findings from Dictionary.com reveal that 32 percent of teachers said they see students struggling with grammar, but those teachers admit they care less about grammar (15 percent) compared to other student skills such as meaning and comprehension (64 percent).
“Social media’s impact on language and communication, especially among younger generations, adds a new layer of complexity for teachers trying to relate to and understand their students,” said Liz McMillan, CEO of Dictionary.com.
(Next page: Teachers reveal their students’ top struggles)
Laura Ascione is the Editorial Director at eSchool Media. She is a graduate of the University of Maryland's prestigious Philip Merrill College of Journalism. Latest posts by Laura Ascione (see all) - Children learn best on paper: We need better technology, not less of it - July 13, 2026
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- Children learn best on paper: We need better technology, not less of it - July 13, 2026
- In districts, reaching readiness, retention, and success - March 5, 2026
- AI use is on the rise, but is guidance keeping pace? - January 2, 2026