Professor

Teacher Training and Research

Chandigarh University

Chandigarh  India 

Abstract

Social media is a powerful tool that can significantly influence a student's future, either positively or negatively, depending on how it is used. While it offers numerous opportunities for acquiring knowledge, connecting with others, and expressing creativity, it also presents challenges such as distractions, anxiety, and overexposure. To achieve a healthy balance, educators, parents, and students need to collaborate and promote responsible usage. By encouraging discipline, critical thinking, and awareness, students can harness the many benefits of social media while protecting their mental health, academic performance, and overall well-being.

Introduction

In today’s digital age, social media has become an essential part of everyday life, particularly for students who use these platforms for a wide range of purposes, from socializing to learning. With over 5 billion social media users globally in 2024, representing around 64% of the world’s population, students make up a significant portion of this user base (Petrosyan,2024). Social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter, and LinkedIn serve as powerful tools not only for entertainment but also for education and personal growth. The evolution of social media has drastically reshaped the educational landscape, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw a flow in online learning and virtual classrooms. Platforms like YouTube and LinkedIn provide endless educational resources, including tutorials, career insights, and skill-building opportunities. Students can also access interactive, live lectures and discussions, enabling them to stay updated on academic topics and enhance their knowledge. However, as much as social media offers educational benefits, it also poses challenges. Students often find it difficult to balance academic responsibilities and social media use, leading to distractions or overuse. While social media fosters creativity and allows students to connect globally, it can expose them to harmful content, reduce face-to-face interactions, and disrupt healthy routines. The growing dependence on these platforms has raised concerns about students' ability to maintain focus and discipline in their academic pursuits.

This information can improve insights into social media engagement trends (Statista social media usage 2024)

Here is the bar graph illustrating the global social media usage by age group in 2024. It clearly shows the trends across different age categories, with younger demographics having higher engagement.

Positive Impacts of Social Media on Students

 

Access to Knowledge and Learning Resources: Social media provides an endless stream of information, making it easier for students to learn beyond textbooks. Platforms like YouTube and LinkedIn Learning offer tutorials and courses that enhance learning opportunities. Tess's (2013) study highlighted that, when used purposefully, social media can be an effective tool for expanding knowledge and enhancing academic engagement. Students can develop their mental state and easily deal with situations that arise in the academic field.

Less Dependency on Others: Students can independently research, solve problems, and connect with experts globally through forums and discussion groups. This empowerment allows them to build self-reliance and confidence in handling challenges. They have become more curious than ever and now education is not a burden for them. The media is always ready to help them and provide information with multiple answers.

Enhanced Communication and Collaboration: Social media bridges the gap between peers, teachers, and global communities. Tools like Microsoft Teams and WhatsApp enable group projects and interactive discussions. A global study group on Facebook helped a group of students crack the GRE by sharing tips and resources. Lee (2016) highlighted that using social media and an e-collaboration tool could encourage students’ scientific inquiries and enhance problem-solving skills as well as set up a healthy communication culture among teachers and students.

Opportunities for Creativity and Expression: Platforms like Instagram and TikTok encourage students to showcase their creativity in writing, photography, and performing arts. These platforms improve confidence and provide opportunities to monetize skills, as confirmed by a young artist who earned a scholarship through her Instagram art page. Social media helps boost students' creative skills by allowing them to learn and apply their knowledge through practice. Often, a student's unseen talent becomes evident when they start taking pictures and using online editing tools to make their work artistically appealing.

Awareness and Advocacy: Social media raises awareness about important issues such as climate change, gender equality, and mental health. Students can contribute in global movements and campaigns. Greenhow & Lewin (2016) highlighted that Social media helped students participate in online communities, share academic content, and engage in discussions beyond the classroom. This type of participation contributed to deeper learning and a greater sense of academic belonging.

Access to News and Current Events: Social media keeps students informed about global and local events. Platforms like Twitter and Instagram enable students to stay updated on current affairs, which can boost their understanding of world politics, social issues, and global trends.

Negative Impacts of Social Media on Students

Excessive Screen Time and Health Issues: Students often devote hours to their devices, leading to reduced physical activity and increased health problems like poor posture and eye strain. A survey discovered that 70% of students reported disrupted sleep patterns due to late-night social media usage. Pantic’s (2014) study focused on the mental health consequences of online social networking, particularly for adolescents and young adults. It found that excessive engagement in SNSs could lead to social anxiety, depression, and lower self-esteem.

Loss of Privacy and Overexposure: Over-sharing personal information, family details, and daily activities makes students exposed to cyber threats. In one case, a student faced identity theft due to sharing sensitive details on a public platform. Irshad (2018) discussed in his paper that The general crime of identity theft does not only happen with adults, but apparently with children too. The most obvious reason is that underage children do not usually understand or are aware of the importance of personal information. When the minors finally become old enough to use this information for some official work, they find themselves victims of this crime.

Decreased Social Interaction: Social media replaces face-to-face interactions, leading to weaker emotional bonds with family and friends. Today’s students are dropping empathy as they communicate more through screens than in person.

Distractions and Reduced Focus: Pop-up advertisements and irrelevant content often distract students during online learning sessions. Additionally, following unreliable or harmful channels affects intellectual and emotional growth. Many young people’s day-to-day survives are woven by social media Youngsters are in chat and communication with their friends and groups by using different media and devices every day. In past years it was seen that youngsters are in touch with only friends and their groups in schools and colleges. But nowadays youngsters are in contact not only with known friends but also with unknown people through social networking sites, instant messaging etc.

Premature Maturity and Anxiety: Social media exposes students to adult themes, making them mature beyond their age but also increasing their anxiety and impatience. Constant comparisons with influencers often lead to feelings of inadequacy, further affecting mental health. Kuss and Griffiths (2017) found that excessive use of Social network sites, like Facebook and Instagram, can lead to mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and stress. Addiction to social media was linked to disrupted sleep patterns and poor academic performance.

Impaired Critical Thinking: The constant stream of information and rapid content consumption on social media can discourage critical thinking and deep learning. Students rely on superficial evidence rather than engaging in detailed research and analysis. Most of the time, AI and chatbot tools are like magic tools in their hands, which makes them useless. Often they use it for projects, practical and related work and do not use their minds and leave brainstorming.

Distorted Body Image: The portrayal of idealized beauty standards and lifestyles on social media can lead to body image issues, especially among teenagers. This can contribute to eating disorders, low self-esteem, and a negative self-image.

Spread of Misinformation: Social media is often a platform for the spread of misinformation and false news, which can confuse students and mislead them. This can impact their knowledge base, decision-making, and academic understanding.

Decreased Academic Performance: The more time students devote on social media, the less time they dedicate to their studies. This can outcome in lower grades, missed assignments, and a lack of preparation for exams.

Disrupted Family Dynamics: Excessive use of social media by students can strain relationships with family members. Parents may feel neglected or frustrated with their children's lack of engagement in family activities, leading to communication breakdowns and emotional distance.

These negative impressions show that while social media has many benefits, its overuse or misuse can knowingly affect students' academic performance, mental health, and overall well-being. It is important for students to use social media sensibly and for parents and educators to guide them in managing their online presence effectively.

Measures for Responsible Use of Social Media

Parental Guidance and Supervision: Parents should regularly discuss safe internet practices with their children. For instance, parents can encourage students to verify facts before sharing or posting online.

Incorporating Media Literacy in Education: Schools should familiarize media literacy programs to teach students how to evaluate sources, protect privacy, and use social media responsibly. For example, students can learn to differentiate between trustworthy and fake news through critical thinking exercises.

Setting Boundaries: Limit screen time to prevent overexposure and maintain a healthy balance between online and offline activities. Apps like Stay Focused or Freedom can help students manage their time effectively. Uhls, An & Subrahmanyam's (2022) study concluded that social media use can be beneficial if managed well and used for communication, self-expression, and support, but excessive and unmonitored use could hinder social development.

Encouraging Offline Activities: Participation in extracurricular activities and outdoor games should be encouraged. Organizing family outings or technology-free evenings strengthens bonds and reduces digital dependence.

Fostering Discipline and Respect: Parents and teachers should strengthen the importance of discipline and respect in both the online and offline world. Role-modeling respectful behavior can leave a lasting impression on students.

Conclusion

Social media is a powerful tool that can significantly shape a student’s future, depending on how it is used. While it offers immense knowledge, connectivity, and creative passages, it also comes with hazards like distraction, anxiety, and overexposure. To ensure a balanced approach, educators, parents, and students must collaborate to promote responsible usage. By fostering discipline, critical thinking, and awareness, students can reveal the vast potential of social media while safeguarding their well-being.

References

1. Greenhow, Christine, and Cathy Lewin. "Social media and education: Reconceptualizing the boundaries of formal and informal learning." social media and education. Routledge, 2019. 6-30.
2. Irshad, Shareen, and Tariq Rahim Soomro. "Identity theft and social media." International Journal of Computer Science and Network Security 18.1 (2018): 43-55.
3. Kuss, Daria J., and Mark D. Griffiths. "Social networking sites and addiction: Ten lessons learned." International journal of environmental research and public health 14.3 (2017): 311.
4. Lee, June, Yangmi Koo, and Mi Hwa Kim. "Enhancing problem solving skills in science education with social media and an e-collaboration tool." The New Educational Review 43 (2016): 248-259.
5. Pantic, Igor. "Online social networking and mental health." Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking 17.10 (2014): 652-657.
6. Petrosyan, Ani. "Worldwide digital population 2023." Dostupno na: https://www. statista. com/statistics/617136/digital-population-worldwide/#:~: text= Worldwide 20 (2023).
7. Tess, Paul A. "The role of social media in higher education classes (real and virtual)–A literature review." Computers in human behavior 29.5 (2013): A60-A68.
8. Uhls, Y. T., K. Subrahmanyam, and A. Third. "Editorial: Digital Media and Social Connection in the Lives of Children, Adolescents and Families." Front. Hum. Dyn. 4: 829468. doi: 10.3389/fhumd (2022).