MB Debate: Is Social Media Diminishing In-Person and Online Education?

Craig Robinson, The Barbership

Craig says: "Social media plays a huge role in our daily lives in so many areas—shopping, hobbies, even cleaning the house. Barbering has fallen into this as well and is now filled with ‘how-to-fade’ videos. Don’t get me wrong—when I first started, I spent hours watching YouTube videos every evening, and then I’d bring what I learned into the shop the next day to put it into practice. At the shop where I began, no one really cared; it was just a job. As a self-taught barber, though, I needed to dig deeper and ask questions to really understand what I was doing and why. But you can’t ask questions to videos or reels.

"We’re in a convenience generation, where we can access these videos 24/7, for free, wherever we are. Will social media replace face-to-face learning? Honestly, I think it might already have."

Bobby Gordon, Fella

Bobby says: "I personally don’t think social media is diminishing in person and online education. I do think there are way too many people trying to be educators on social media, and in my opinion, nothing will beat being in a class or 1-2-1 tuition.

'I must also say that some of the online platforms are great resources for barbers of all levels of experience. We are subscribed to a couple of platforms and use them at some of our training sessions.

'Going back to social media, I think there is a trend amongst barbers at the moment to show off different skills and techniques, which is great if you are aiming to grow an education platform. But if you are trying to get clients through the door, most clients don’t care so much about different sectioning patterns or texturising techniques. It just seems to me that too many barbers are trying to impress other barbers, and they are forgetting about the most important people: the clients."

Tom Hoffman of Diligents

Tom says: "Absolutely, social media can diminish both in-person and online education if we’re not careful. There's a troubling trend where anyone who takes a course feels qualified to teach, creating an illusion of expertise. These same people are then selling dreams, telling people they can become a six-figure barber overnight. They don’t tell you the amount of work it takes to get there. Mastery takes years of practice and real-world experience.

"I always emphasise the importance of hands-on learning, like in-person training where a mentor can physically guide a student. It’s not enough to simply understand the theory; you need to actually practice the skills to become proficient. Social media can certainly offer valuable insights, but when information comes from questionable sources, it can lead to unrealistic expectations.

"In essence, while social media has its educational benefits, it can also foster a culture of superficial learning that lacks depth. Social media education is a good added extra as long as it’s coming from a reputable source."

Oliver Hill, MaxOliver

Oliver says: "I would say that social media actually supports our in-person education. Once you’ve got a good foundation and base knowledge, you can pick up little techniques via social media. It’s great for education if watching is your way of learning.

"I think everyone has become a bit of an educator too, which has its positives and negatives. As well as having skill, being a good educator depends on the character of the individual. If you are a likeable and relatable character, your knowledge is easily transferred. Conversely, you can give the simplest information, but if you’re not delivering it in the right way, it won’t stick in people’s heads.

"We have found that social media is more often used to promote face-to-face education (in the salon or at larger venues and expos). The shorter clips you see act as teasers online, and encourage people to book in, pumping interested people towards you.

"Now, there are lots of different types of education to choose from online. As a result, platforms are fantastic for broader and more detailed knowledge. I would tell people to go and get inspired and try things out. But you can’t beat the interaction you have when learning in person (talking about the details of the haircut, face shape, suitability, guidelines, etc.). Balancing the two is always good."

Mikey Pearson, Manifesto

Mikey says: "During the pandemic, there was a lot of online education happening, which we were heavily involved in. We worked with Davines globally and I can remember many people launching online platforms. While the pandemic pushed us all towards online education, I've seen a strong return to in-person classes as people crave hands-on learning.  

"We use social media to promote our training with short, engaging clips that highlight key concepts. We use short clips of things that students can learn, rather than showing the whole teaching. The videos need to be quite short and punchy to gain interaction. Although online platforms are vital for those unable to travel, nothing compares to the dynamic of in-person education. There are limitations to online formats, such as tricky camera angles that inhibit demonstrating techniques like elevation or over-direction. 

"Ultimately, I’m all for both online and in-person education. Social media has not negatively impacted our in-person teaching. I believe the future lies in a balanced approach: combining both online resources and strong in-person classes to reach and engage a larger audience. Social media hasn’t diminished our in-person teaching; rather, it has enhanced our outreach."