Study Finds Teens and Educators Want Schools to Rebuild Civil Discourse

Report highlights need for schools to address digital-age challenges to respectful dialogue.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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A new national research report has found that both teenagers and educators believe schools need to do more to rebuild civil discourse and respectful dialogue in the digital age. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of California, Orange, surveyed over 2,000 high school students and 1,500 teachers across the United States.

Why it matters

As social media and online communication have become increasingly prevalent in young people's lives, concerns have grown about the erosion of civil and constructive dialogue, particularly in academic and educational settings. This study underscores the desire among students and educators to address these challenges and restore a culture of respectful discourse in schools.

The details

The report found that 84% of students and 92% of teachers surveyed believe schools should place a greater emphasis on teaching effective communication skills, managing online behavior, and fostering empathy and perspective-taking. Respondents cited concerns about the prevalence of online harassment, the spread of misinformation, and the tendency for digital interactions to become more adversarial compared to in-person discussions.

  • The study was conducted in January and February 2026.

The players

University of California, Orange

The university where the researchers who conducted the study are based.

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What they’re saying

“We're seeing a real disconnect between how young people communicate online versus in person, and schools need to step up to address that gap.”

— Dr. Emily Nguyen, Lead Researcher (wn.com)

“As educators, we're deeply concerned about the erosion of civil discourse, and we need to equip students with the skills to have respectful, productive dialogues - both online and offline.”

— Sarah Williamson, High School Principal (wn.com)

What’s next

The researchers plan to present the study's findings at an upcoming education technology conference in March 2026, where they hope to engage with school administrators and policymakers on strategies for implementing digital citizenship curricula.

The takeaway

This study underscores the urgent need for schools to prioritize teaching students how to engage in civil, constructive dialogue in the digital age, as both students and educators recognize the erosion of respectful discourse as a critical challenge facing modern education.