The digitalization has transformed the world and gave a huge force to social media. They serve for communication and sharing experiences. Social media platforms changed the way people react, interact, perceive, and learn information, but in despite of positive they also have negative effect.
Social media is an instrument that students can use for educational goals to increase academic performance. It is a kind of space for connection, sharing, exploring global conversations, and socialization. As of 2024, there are 5.04 billion people in the world who use social media. In this article, we will explore the impact of social media on academic achievement among students.
The Digital Age and Academic Performance
The digital era changed life forever and influenced the way people overcome challenges and use opportunities. The education undergoes significant changes, so there is a necessity of ‘never stop learning’. Integration of technologies made it possible for teachers and students to create interactive and customized learning journeys via simulations, virtual reality, video lessons, educational games, and AI-based study activities.
According to statistics, starting from the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 1.5 billion students have switched to online education, and that’s something people never could have imagined earlier.
What about its weak sides and the challenges the institutions and students might experience? A lot of schools, colleges or universities don’t have access to up-to-date technologies. Educators may face troubles in implementing new approaches without special trainings and practices.
It is crucial for institutions to develop education digitalization strategies as it allows students to get essential digital literacy skills, develop technological proficiency, build strong time management skills, get access to more resources and databases. Due to adaptive technologies, students can study in their rhythm and build individual learning paths to achieve more effectiveness.
Social Media and Study Habits
Social media is a place of self-expression, sharing ideas, socializing, entertaining and studying. There is a clear interrelation between social media and academic performance. Another huge advantage for students is simple access to information. That’s much easier to study and get the required information with quick access to online educational resources.
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It is totally fine to look for help and advice, and here comes collaborative learning. On social media platforms, students have a chance to take part in discussions and form study groups.
As for the negative side of the social media impact on studies, it is distraction that leads to procrastination during study sessions. Regular notifications could decrease concentration, affect memory, cognitive function, and influence sleep patterns. As we know, the measure is a treasure, and there are a lot of ways to control social media to make the best of it without harm to your studies and life.
The Diversity of Social Media for Students
The social media landscape is wide, so every student can choose a platform that fulfills their needs, interests, and other preferences.
A platform for connecting with friends, sharing updates, and joining groups.
Focused on the visual content hub for photo and video sharing, exchanging aesthetic experiences.
X (Twitter)
Social media, known for its real-time updates and dynamic conversations. It's a space where news and trends are spread at the speed of light.
Professional networking platform that facilitates career development and job searching can be useful for students who plan their future and want to be up-to-date last news of different industries.
TikTok
Popular for short-form video content, often featuring creative challenges, trends and useful information.
Online pin board that allows students to discover inspirational materials based on their interests.
Resource with a multitude of forums where students can communicate on various topics.
YouTube
Online video sharing platform for content creators and users that could be incredibly useful for research and learning.
Messaging app used by students for personal and group communication, sharing content, and making calls.
Tumblr
Platform with a wide range of content, including art and discussions. It's a space where students can express themselves via multimedia posts.
The variety of social media platforms meets the need of students in building connection, getting and sharing new information, exchanging experiences and searching for inspiration.
Information Consumption
Social media platforms are great instruments for information consumption and exchange. It can facilitate the sharing of information and ideas among students, resulting in learning and collaboration. With access to huge amounts of information, students can see the diversity of possibilities.
Still, at the same time, it is crucial to filter it because of contradictable algorithms of the social media platforms may misguide with fake info that requires extra verification.
Most of the students concentrate on the visual perception of content. That’s why social media for students can shape the learning process and information-seeking behavior. For the modern generation, using social media resources for study may open the window of opportunities with proper use.
Social Media and Academic Stress
As mentioned before, excessive usage of social media can lead to academic stress as it influences the students’ perceptions and puts more pressure on them. Unfortunately, we live in a world with a culture of comparison, where students can misperceive their academic grades and accomplishments.
Academic performance research showed that making such parallels with peers can lead to problems with low self-esteem and disrupt overall well-being. Another aspect that influences mental health and gives rise to the study stress is cyberbullying.
Negative online communication and situations when you are treated, embarrassed, targeted, or simply criticized also lead to anxiety and even depression.
One of the negative effects social media has on students is sleep deprivation. Before going to bed, we all love to check what’s going on around Instagram and what’s new happened today. After all, it destroys sleep habits, can cause insomnia, and decreases the cognitive abilities that affect academic performance.
To reduce the negative consequences, you should control your social media presence and time spent online and avoid the information overload that pressures students to keep up with trends, news, and discussions all the time.
Inspiration and Motivation
Social media resources could serve as a source of inspiration for students. By scrawling the Instagram feed, watching TikTok videos, or viewing Pinterest pictures, students can get motivation for learning and personal growth. Also, we should not forget about the influencers who disseminate their success stories about achievements.
Social media resources let students show their creativity and expression, inspire them to make accomplishments and share them with the audience. Video platforms like YouTube offer many tutorials so users can learn and develop new skills that correspond to the idea of continuous learning. The opinion leaders who promote a healthy style of life, constant self-improvement, and education could encourage students to live consciously and happy.
Strategies for Responsible Social Media Use for Students
Social media has huge inspirational and educational potential, and students can turn it into a powerful tool for learning, growth, and self-discovery only with a mindful approach, so here are a few practical tips on how to get the best out of social media.
Clear Time Estimates
By setting time frames for using Instagram, TikTok or WhatsApp, you set healthy boundaries to prevent distractions that may result in moving your focus and attention to academic tasks. To achieve that, you should track and limit the time spent on social media and take a break. Most platforms offer the option to check daily usage and monitor the time of online activity.
Manage Notifications and Forget about Distractions
Endless repeating sounds overstimulate our nervous system, and its disable can highly reduce the frequency of distractions. It would allow you to concentrate on the study, increase attentiveness, and you will get rid of the constant need to check updates.
Verify Information
Critical thinking skills are not given in childhood, and they can be developed during the life cycle. Use them to validate information you read or see on social media. Be cautious of fakes. It is easier to fact-check content before reposting or using it for educational purposes. Follow reliable sources and opinion leaders who you trust to.
Find a Consumption-Contribution Balance and Be Polite
There are a lot of online discussions you can join, so engage in positive conversations share educational content and your ideas with others. Be respectful in online communication and avoid offensive language, cyberbullying, or any behavior that could harm others.
Take Care of Security
It is important to control who can access your content and personal information, so check your privacy settings and see how you can adjust your secure online presence.
To conclude
There is enough where there is not too much’ is a perfect phrase describing the impact of social media on academic achievement among students. It gives exclusive opportunities for communication, sharing information, getting new knowledge, developing digital literacy skills, and effective time management strategies.
Even so, without a mindful approach, social media can influence students’ mental health, distract and mislead them in the informational field. Only making clear limitations would minimize the potential risks and lead to harmony between social media and academic performance to improve the last one.
