Teachers’ Perceptions of Using Social Media to Build Trust and Moral Values in School: A Comparative Study between Jordan, the UAE and Saudi Arabia

Abstract

This research study examines teachers’ perceptions of using social media as a tool to build trust and moral values in schools in Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. The purpose of the study is to understand how social media influences trust and moral values among teachers, parents, and students, and to identify the benefits and challenges associated with its use. The population includes teachers from different educational backgrounds, with a sample of 126 teachers, 42 from each country. Results indicate that teachers view social media positively, particularly in enhancing communication with parents (mean score = 4.2) and improving relationships with students (mean score = 4.0). However, significant challenges were identified, including privacy and security concerns (77%) and lack of digital literacy among parents (65%). Additionally, teachers with more than 11 years of experience reported higher mean perception scores (4.3), suggesting that experience may enhance the effective use of social media. Based on these findings, several recommendations are proposed: recommendations include developing targeted professional development programs to enhance teachers’ digital literacy skills, and encouraging organizations to develop policies and guidelines that support responsible social media use and foster a collaborative environment. Furthermore, the findings underscore the importance of continued research and dialogue on effective strategies for integrating social media to foster trust within school communities.