Nelaine Flaviano’s Updates

Social Media as Everyday Learning: Multiliteracies in the Philippine Context

One new social practice that’s really shaping how Filipinos learn today is the use of social media platforms, especially YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook, for educational content. It’s not just for entertainment anymore. Students now watch math tutorials on YouTube, follow science explainers on TikTok, and join Facebook groups for homework help or teacher updates. These platforms have become informal learning spaces, accessible anytime, anywhere.
As of 2025, the Philippines has over 90.8 million social media user identities, which is about 78% of the population. We also rank among the highest globally in daily social media usage, with Filipinos spending hours each day online. This “always-online” culture means educational content is now reaching learners who might not engage with traditional textbooks or classroom formats.
From a multiliteracies perspective, this shift is huge. These platforms use multimodal communication—videos, captions, emojis, music, voiceovers, and even silence—to teach and explain. Learners are not just reading; they’re watching, listening, reacting, and creating. It’s a form of meaning-making that blends visual, auditory, and social modes.

For pedagogy, this means we need to rethink how we teach literacy. It’s no longer just about reading and writing; it’s about helping students critically engage with digital content, understand tone and context, and even create their own educational media. Teachers can guide students in evaluating sources, interpreting multimodal messages, and using these platforms responsibly.
In short, social media isn’t just a distraction; it’s a powerful tool for learning, especially in the Philippine context where connectivity and creativity thrive.

Reference : 
DataReportal. (2025). Digital 2025: The Philippines. Kepios & We Are Social. Retrieved from https://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2025-philippines 

Meltwater. (2025). Social media statistics in the Philippines 2025. Retrieved from https://www.meltwater.com/en/blog/social-media-statistics-philippines