New Study Finds Teens and Educators Want Schools to Rebuild Civil Discourse in a Digital Age

Report from Or Initiative at Chapman University highlights disconnect between students' digital experiences and classroom learning

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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A new national research report released by Or Initiative at Chapman University finds that adolescents are grappling with polarizing civic and geopolitical issues online, often in digital spaces that reward speed and certainty. At the same time, students are eager for schools to help them slow down, build shared evidence, and learn how to have civil discussions even when they disagree. The report also reveals that educators feel underprepared to tackle tough topics and connect students' digital realities to classroom learning.

Why it matters

As young people increasingly encounter complex, emotionally-charged issues through social media, there is a growing need for schools to provide spaces where students can engage with evidence, practice civil discourse, and learn to navigate polarized digital environments. This report highlights the disconnect between students' online experiences and the current state of classroom learning, underscoring the importance of equipping educators with the tools and support to foster constructive dialogue on difficult topics.

The details

The report, "Coming of Age in Polarized Times: Teaching Civil Discourse in a Digital Era," is based on interviews with 8th- and 11th-grade students and educators in California and New York, as well as a review of middle- and high-school curricula. It finds that while students are immersed in contentious issues online, they often feel overwhelmed and unsure what to trust. Educators, meanwhile, report feeling professionally exposed and underprepared to tackle tough topics, fearing being perceived as biased. The report highlights gaps between students' digital experiences and the curriculum needed to help them bridge what they learn online and in the classroom.

  • The report was released on February 9, 2026.

The players

Or Initiative

A research-to-practice effort based at Chapman University, dedicated to helping young people and educators navigate civil discourse, digital life, and learning in polarized times.

Vikki Katz

The Executive Director of Or Initiative and the Fletcher Jones Professor of Free Speech in the School of Communication at Chapman University.

Lindsey Spindle

The President of the Samueli Foundation, which has invested in Chapman University's leadership in civil discourse.

Chapman University

A nationally ranked private university in Orange, California, where Or Initiative is based.

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What they’re saying

“Students are not disengaged from the world's hardest questions; they are immersed in them. What they are missing are spaces where they can slow down, sort out what is knowable, and talk with one another without being pushed to pick a side on complex topics. Many of them still believe classrooms can be those spaces. Our research shows they want schools to help—but also, that educators need better tools and support to do that work well.”

— Vikki Katz, Executive Director of Or Initiative and the Fletcher Jones Professor of Free Speech in the School of Communication at Chapman University

“At a time when polarization threatens both our civic fabric and young people's well-being, we believe that schools and institutions of higher education can play a vital role in building new models for shared understanding. Or Initiative reflects a bold, research-driven commitment to helping the next generation navigate complex issues, and each other, with integrity.”

— Lindsey Spindle, President of the Samueli Foundation

What’s next

Or Initiative announced the launch of its Civil Discourse Accelerator, a new fellowship program that will fund and mentor early-and mid-career designers and technologists to create ethical, youth-centered tools that support digital skill-building and civil discourse in classrooms. The first Accelerator projects will be funded beginning in Spring 2026.

The takeaway

This report highlights the critical need for schools to provide students with the skills and spaces to engage with complex, polarizing issues in a thoughtful, evidence-based manner. By equipping educators with the right tools and support, schools can help young people navigate the challenges of the digital age and foster constructive dialogue, even on the most contentious topics.