The dangers of being a ‘cool teacher’
This article argues that teachers who act as social media influencers risk eroding the professional boundaries necessary for student safety and development. It suggests that the logic of content creation conflicts with the duty of care and legal protections like the POCSO Act.
Why it matters
It raises critical questions about the impact of digital culture on traditional educational structures and child protection.
Today, there is a particular kind of teacher that parents and students celebrate. She explains quadratic equations through trending audio. He goes live on Instagram at eleven at night to give a “real talk” on board exams. They reply to student DMs (direct messages), post staffroom videos, and caption it all with something like “school doesn’t have to be boring.” The intent is warm but the consequences are serious. In 2026, being a “cool teacher” increasingly means being a content creator. That shift from educator to influencer is quietly dismantling a crucial structure in a child’s life: the boundary between adult and child.
The piece takes a conservative stance on professional norms and traditional institutional boundaries.
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