High school students are embracing cooking skills through social media. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook have made learning to cook quick and fun.
Victoria Black, a Carlmont freshman and Baking Club president, says, “I often turn to social media for recipes. YouTube is great because I can watch the video as I cook.”
Food content has exploded online since YouTube began in 2005. Short videos share everything from recipes to cooking hacks, engaging millions. In fact, according to Statista, Americans spend an average of 8 hours a day consuming media, which is twice as much as they spend on traditional forms, like reading books.
David Lu from Meta explains why short-form media is so appealing: “People have short attention spans. To capture interest, content needs to be fast and accessible.” With internet access at an all-time high thanks to smartphones and tablets, teens find it easier to get information at their fingertips.
Pew Research Center highlights that Gen Z has unparalleled access to online resources. In classrooms, like at Ralston Middle School, teachers are now using videos during lessons. Sara Tolliver, a culinary arts teacher, says, “I use tutorial videos in class. If a student misses a lesson, they can still learn.”
On days students can cook freely, some even ask ChatGPT for recipe ideas. “I let them use social media. It’s part of our world now,” Tolliver explains.
Interestingly, the rise of short videos hasn’t diminished interest in cookbooks. Since 2015, book sales have climbed steadily, with a notable 8.9% increase during the pandemic, according to Nielsen.
Lu notes, “I doubt short-form videos will ever replace books completely. People still love physical books, but digital ones are rising quickly.”
Victoria Black agrees on the value of both formats. “I like using both. Having a recipe in front of me and on my screen helps me avoid mistakes.”
In a world where social media shapes how we learn, cooking is just one skill that’s becoming easier to acquire. Traditional methods have not disappeared; instead, they’re evolving alongside modern technology.
