In this digital era, social media affects students, academic achievement, student’s psychological wellbeing, and interpersonal communication. On the one hand, it is a source of information and a platform to meet interesting people, discuss, and develop an academic curriculum.
On the other hand, it is a way of wasting time, loosing sleep, being stressed and not getting any academic work done. Both the beneficial and detrimental consequences are useful for their overview to promote the proper usage of social networks in students activity.
Why Social Media is Important for Students?
As we see social media is important for students as it improves their connection, cooperation and ability to get the required information. It allows for students to become members of academic groups, write posts, and contribute toward discussions that advance their learning. LinkedIn, Twitter, instagram and educational forums are some of the places where students find a professional to follow and interact with for pattern update and career openings.
It has also facilitated learning by offering tutorial, study tips and other educative materials. As used appropriately, it enhances student’s performance making them develop basic skills in communication and networking. In general, social networks, if properly used, are rather helpful to develop personally and academically.
The Positive Impact of Social Media on Students Life
1. Improved Communication and Collaboration
Social media has revolutionized interaction, thus eliminating all barriers which restricted students from interacting with peers or tutors at any time. For group activities, sharing concern topics or assignments and even just maintaining contact with the group members, there is always the easy to use WhatsApp, Facebook etc. This promotes togetherness and, in the process, develops friendship amongst students not just in school but even for the other hours in the day.
2. Instant Access to Information and Learning Resources
Students get a chance to gain so much information on education. These Internet sites like YouTube, Instagram provide free tutorial for almost any topic. Also, when students subscribe to the educational accounts on Instagram or Twitter, they are updated with current affairs making learning very interesting.
3. Opportunities for Professional Networking
Social media provides opportunities for students to have an interaction with people and scholars of their choice area. For example, LinkedIn can connect students as equals, share experiences and even look for internships or even employment opportunities. With those links, students can get the company information and get guidance from other people in related fields to improve their employability.
4. Staying Connected with Family and Friends
For student who travel to attend college, social media provide a way through which they can always be with their families. These include Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook through which students can interact with family and friends, and hence reduce on feeling lonely.
5. Creative Expression and Feedback
Through social media, students get an opportunity to also perform different creativities like, art, music, and writing, among others. Students can share works on appeal and get constructive critical remarks from others as well as get more work recognition from wider audiences, which helps them gain confidence and motivates them to create more.
6. Awareness and Social Activism
Students can post on social media about concerns such as education, environment, health or politics, for change to occur. Twitter and Instagram also serve to ensure that their messages get out there; and that there is engagement with others – with views and movements that they can support and change within those social networks.
The Negative Impact of social media on students life
1. Social Media Addiction
Students find themselves in the habit of using social media frequently, making the habit addictive. Sitting and browsing feeds is not the best way of spending time because it pushes away time dedicated to studies or sleep or interactions in their daily lives.
2. More Vulnerability to cyber bullying
Cyberbullying can happen with the help of social media. Cyberbullying interferes greatly with a student’s well-being and can cause stress levels, depression, and lowered self-esteem.
3. Distraction from Studies
Twitter, facebook, youtube and other social media can be considered powerful distractions. Given the availability of content, the students are likely to spend a lot of time on the site focusing and not focusing on their studies which decreases productivity and therefore academic achievement.
4. Body Image Issues
Social media promotes the growth of unrealistic beauty standards. There is a risk that body comparison with images can result in body dissatisfaction, especially when it comes to the student’s self-esteemed feelings.
5. Exposure to False Information
Through social media, students are exposed to various contents and since fake news is common, they can end up making wrong decisions depending on the information they take from sites.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while managing social media platforms provides freedom for students engagement it also has negative effects on students. Apart, it provides groundbreaking advantages like time management, communication, easy access to learning study materials, and self-division, but it is not risk-free. These include substance dependency, distraction, bullying through the internet, and anxiety over their appearance, among others, and these problems have a strong bearing on student’s health and performance.
These observations highlight the importance of a positive attitude and rational behaviors which will allow enjoying all the advantages of this phenomenon while avoiding side effects at the same time. Students should focus on the right method to use these technologies in their lifelong learning and personal development processes.
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