Stressors and Stress From Instagram Use as Perceived by Teachers

• In Event: From Instagram to AI: Teacher Professional Development on the Frontlines of Educational Technology

Abstract

Social media platforms, like Instagram, are increasingly used by professionals for their professional learning. While research from media and communication sciences overall suggests potential negative side effects from intensive social media use, the downsides for teachers remain underexplored. We developed four scales to measure stressors in teachers’ social media use and evaluated these instruments' quality and their relation to teachers’ perceived stress from Instagram use. Data from 304 teachers and results from structural equation modeling revealed that information overload, social comparison, and procrastination are linked to stress. Additionally, we identified differential relationships with aspects of teachers' usage behavior. This study provides quantitative evidence on the impact of social media on teachers and is relevant to teacher educators and policymakers.

Authors

• André Meyer, University of Potsdam

• Eric Richter, KU Eichstätt-Ingolstadt

• Jeffrey P. Carpenter, Elon University

• Dirk Richter, University of Potsdam

• Sebastian Benjamin Kempert, University of Potsdam