The Internet has firmly established itself in peoples’ lives today. It is difficult to envision a young man who does not browse the news lines and check social media at least once daily. The contemporary world demands that we remain connected, and keep up with the most recent news, and trends. So how does this pattern impact students’ academic performance?
The impact of social media on students’ academic performance is an increasingly relevant topic in today’s digital world. Social media or mass media network has become a prevalent part of many students’ lives as it provides them with a platform for communication, entertainment, and access to information. While this can be beneficial in some ways, it can also have a negative impact on students’ academic performance.
Apart from a small number of superhumans who know how to use social media rationally, most students aren’t the same. But the great news is we are all in the same boat!
Social Media is Addictive
The first way social media can have a negative effect on a student’s academic performance is by taking up too much of their time. Social media can be very addictive, and students may find themselves spending hours scrolling through their feeds or talking to friends. This can take away from their study time and lead to reduced academic performance. Additionally, students may be more likely to procrastinate with social media, leading to them rushing their assignments or not completing them at all.
Social pressure still exists even when we have the option to turn off notifications or the device. Nobody enjoys being in the dark. Also, social media offers an eternal community through global mass media, which is something we all love to be a part of.
Fortunately, if you gradually and repeatedly change your media habits, dependence (or even addiction) will eventually wane.
Social media use and academic performance are significantly related
- Compared to students who don’t use social media while studying, those who frequently use Instagram while studying typically perform somewhat worse.
- Students who frequently access social media and spend a lot of time there receive below-average scores than those who don’t regularly utilise it.
Despite what people frequently believe, science has repeatedly demonstrated that humans aren’t effective at multitasking.
Another way social media can have an adverse effect on academic performance is by providing students with access to harmful content. Some students may be exposed to inappropriate or dangerous content while browsing social media sites which can lead to poor academic performance. Additionally, some students may be exposed to cyberbullying which can have a detrimental effect on their mental health and lead to poor academic performance.
Social Media has a severe impact on the sleeping schedule of students
We have changed—as a whole, we’ve become a fast-paced, high-stress society—and it is impossible to deny this truth as the dominance of mass media networks has risen.
According to research, social media use and lack of sleep are directly related. Social media use before bed is common for many people, but it can be damaging in a number of ways. social media can be a source of distraction for students. They may be tempted to check their feeds or messages during class or while studying, which can lead to a lack of focus and reduced academic performance.
Students who use social media excessively often, sleep poorly, and then do poorly in school can easily fall into this vicious trap of social media.
How can you leverage social media to improve your academic performance?
The emergence of social media undoubtedly involves a certain amount of risk for the students, but there are also unnoticed advantages involved with the growth of mass media networks. Furthermore, it’s crucial to know how to leverage social media and this global mass media in these peculiar times when many students are still taking classes online.
It can be said that mass media network-based collaborative learning platform generates significant levels of student participation. This involves the exchange of information and concepts via forums and discussion threads. It was also noticed that interactions with teachers on social media significantly increase student involvement.
Online knowledge sharing through the global mass media and student involvement generally showed a strong, favourable association. Notably, the study brought attention to the fact that academic achievement and student engagement are positively connected.
From this, it’s crucial to understand that social media-based collaborative learning is related to student engagement, which is related to improved academic performance. Hence, mass media network-based collaborative work indirectly promotes improved academic performance.
The following are the advantages of global mass media for students:
- Enhancing practical abilities with educational videos.
- Making use of data and survey results to assist students with their research projects.
- Supplying information and sources that are trustworthy and valid to students so they can do their homework and prepare for higher studies.
Conclusion
If social media and technology are making an impression on the generation social media is not something that the students need to deprive themselves of. Social media can be a helpful tool for students in their academics. It can be used to connect with other students and professionals in their field, access educational resources and materials, to stay up to date on relevant news and developments, research topics and find new sources of information, collaborate with peers and colleagues, increase their visibility and credibility, and to build their professional network.
About the Author
The Emissary is also a global mass media platform where teens can connect and learn alongside other teens with similar interests. The Emissary comprehends and is also keen on discussing issues concerning youth. The Emissary stands to provide a space for teenagers with a global facet to every aspect, enriching them with the imperative exposure that leads to highly beneficial experiences.