If you’re tuned into what’s happening on social media, you may have heard about a new platform that’s grabbing headlines and attention: Bluesky. The latest social media name to pick up steam, Bluesky is a micro-blogging platform (similar to X) designed to give users more control and flexibility. Unlike traditional platforms, it lets users personalize what they see, keep ownership of their data (including content and followers), and move their account to other apps if they choose. So, what do schools need to know about Bluesky and how should school PR and communications professionals be thinking about it? Here’s what you need to know and what to be thinking about as headlines continue to buzz.
What is Bluesky?
Bluesky is a new social media platform that aims to give users more control over their online experience. It allows people to personalize what they see, keep ownership of their data, and connect in a way that feels more authentic and less controlled by a single company. For schools, it could become a way to engage with students and parents in a more flexible and transparent environment.
Is Bluesky associated with X (Twitter)?
Bluesky is considered a competitor to X (Twitter), though it originated as a project within Twitter in 2019 and was originally initiated by then-CEO Jack Dorsey to explore decentralized social media solutions.
What unique features does Bluesky have?
Bluesky offers customizable feeds, data ownership, and the ability for users to move an account (and its associated content and even followers) between platforms.
How do Bluesky’s customizable algorithms work?
On Bluesky, users can choose or create algorithms that decide what appears in their feed. This could help schools ensure their content is more visible to the people they want to reach, like parents looking for updates or students interested in events. Notably, users also have more control over what they don’t want to see.
What is Decentralized Social Media?
Decentralized social media is a new approach to online platforms where no single company or organization has total control over the platform. Instead of relying on centralized servers owned by a specific company (like Meta or Twitter), decentralized platforms are built on a network of independent servers. These servers can be run by individuals, communities, or organizations, allowing users more freedom, privacy, and control. Specifically, each server can have its own rules for content moderation, algorithms, and community guidelines. This could potentially make it easier for schools to create spaces tailored to specific values or needs.
What learning opportunities exist for schools and students around decentralized social media?
Schools have the ability to host their own servers with strict moderation to create safe, secure online spaces for students, staff, and families. The exercise can also help students understand what a safe and thriving online community can look like. When it comes to digital citizenship and privacy, there is much to gain from understanding decentralization, specifically helping students understand data privacy, data ownership, intellectual property, and the future of online communities.
How is Bluesky thinking about user privacy?
Bluesky prioritizes user privacy by giving individuals ownership of their data and minimizing how much personal information is collected. This focus on privacy makes it an attractive option for schools, which need to be especially careful with sensitive information.
Should schools be on Bluesky?
Bluesky is still new, and schools should keep an eye on it as it grows. It offers opportunities to reach communities in innovative ways, but its current audience is limited. One way for communications and PR professionals to start to become familiar with the platform is by creating a personal profile, which allows you to explore the new platform and its features without fully diving in and committing to a presence for your school or district.
Does Class Intercom support Bluesky?
Not currently. As with any new or emerging platform, our in-house development team here at Class Intercom will keep a close eye on Bluesky and its short- and long-term viability to determine whether it makes sense to integrate. We’ll keep you posted.
At Class Intercom, we’re committed to helping schools and students use social media more effectively and responsibly. Interested in learning more about how our technology helps schools empower students to get involved in content creation, while also streamlining school social media content for educators, administrators, and school PR professionals? Get in touch below.
