Navigating Ethics in Social Media’s Role in NEP-Based Teaching and Learning

The growing integration of social media into education under the National Education Policy (NEP) has brought significant ethical concerns related to misinformation, privacy, information security, and academic integrity. This study, titled “Navigating Ethics in Social Media’s Role in NEP-Based Teaching and Learning,” examines these challenges within digital learning environments. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research combines quantitative survey data with qualitative insights from students, educators, and policymakers. The study aims to identify major ethical issues, assess their impact on learning behavior and ethical decision-making, and evaluate the ethical awareness of different stakeholder groups. A total of 800 responses were collected through Google Forms, and statistical tests such as Chi-square, T-test, and ANOVA were applied at a 5% significance level. The hypotheses addressed whether social media usage is linked to ethical concerns, whether misinformation affects ethical awareness, and whether differences exist between educators and students. The results show no significant association between general social media use and ethical concerns (H₀₁ retained), while misinformation has a strong negative influence on ethical awareness (H₀₂ rejected). There was also no notable difference in ethical attitudes between educators and students (H₀₃ retained). With a correlation coefficient of 0.62 between exposure and behavioral changes, the study underscores the need for robust digital ethics policies and improved media literacy within NEP-driven education.