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Digital Governance of Social Media in Public Educational Settings: Equity, Inclusivity, and Responsible Digital Practices
Sajeel Ahmad, Muhammad Ali Hayat, Mirza Nadeem Ahmad Shoaib
Abstract:
The integration of social media and other digital technologies into the public sector education systems has become instantaneous, creating a demand for well-designed governance systems in safe, equitable, and inclusive teaching and learning while respecting the rights of students. A systematic review of digital governance policy among public sector education systems related to social media was performed. Peer-reviewed academic articles, institutional policy documents, and government reports, ranging from 2015 to 2026, were used. From an initial collection of forty-two selected documents, a PRISMA-guided, systematic, thematic analysis was performed on information gathered from a search of institutional and academic journals via Google Scholar, ERIC, PubMed, and the databases of UNESCO, OECD, UNICEF, and WHO. The analysis identified five major themes: a) the digital divide and equality in education, b) mental and emotional health outcomes and influences, c) online bullying and personal safety, d) student data security and privacy, and e) responsibilities and citizenship in online spaces. The review identified significant policy gaps across these five domains: equitable digital access, the provision of institutional mental health services, the accountability of third-party service providers, and the effective implementation of digital citizenship curricula. To address these gaps, the review proposes a four-part digital governance model encompassing policy and infrastructure, digital citizenship curriculum, mental health and well-being, and stakeholder input and actions. The study concluded with practical recommendations for policymakers, school leaders, teachers, and community stakeholders to strengthen the digital governance in the public education sector.
Keywords:
Digital Governance, Social Media, Educational Policy, Digital Equity, Inclusivity, Cyberbullying, Student Wellbeing, Public Sector Institutions.
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