Few forces have rocked 21st century life as drastically as social media. Digital conversation, networking and media-sharing platforms have allowed friends, acquaintances and strangers to communicate, organize, mobilize, critique and create with previously unimaginable speed and ease. Social media has been especially influential in the daily experiences of young people, whose brains are hardwired to seek connection with and approval from their peers.

So when it comes to education and the well-being of students, is social media a scourge that’s distracting and depressing our tweens and teenagers? Or is it an invaluable teaching tool and outlet for free expression? Should it be tightly regulated or allowed to flourish freely, both in classrooms and at home?

Here, you’ll find a collection of EdSurge stories that dig into these debates.