The Effect of Social Media on Students

Although many concerned guardians seem to believe that the utilization of social media is possibly the most detrimental factor to a student’s academic life, a study conducted by MastersInEducation.org proves otherwise. – Courtesy Photo

By Ame Hossen

Living in the age of technology, many students are enticed to procrastinate and escape their duties as a pupil through various forms of social media. Increasingly, parents, teachers, and other adult figures are developing a growing concern towards the negative effects that Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, and Facebook institute into a young adult’s daily life.

Although many concerned guardians seem to believe that the utilization of social media is possibly the most detrimental factor to a student’s academic life, a study conducted by MastersInEducation.org proves otherwise. The survey presented included 1,127 students, surveyed to reveal the true effects of social media, whether positive or negative. Throughout the survey, pupils were asked for their grade point average (GPA), hours spent on various social media platforms, and the effects they themselves believed the social media forms bestowed upon them.

The results of this survey revealed quite the opposite of the concerns parents had towards the use of the connection platforms. Students in the long run, performed better in school with the moderate use of social media. Many pupils were gaining more insight into educational and social topics brought up in an academic environment through sites like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Other results showed that social media also promoted a higher percent of student participation, in-class, as they were able to more easily relate to topics taught in school. The study revealed that as many as thirty percent of students utilized social media solely for educational purposes, and decreased the usage of the networks by twenty-four percent during the school week.

With the advancements in social media networks, pupils are increasingly becoming more likely to turn to these easily accessible connection platforms for opportunities to learn, connect, and broaden their academic life. Madison Lancaster, a sophomore at Glendora High School, says though an interview, that although she spends an average of 30 hours a week on Instagram, Twitter, and Youtube, she continues to manage a 3.9 GPA. Lancaster says, “Social media is a great platform for individuals to gain more knowledge. However, with the lack of control over temptation, social media can and will take over your life, which may push away the opportunity for knowledge. However, if there is a good balance of the two, social media can be an asset that adds to your learning.”

An increasing amount of pupils are engulfing themselves into the world of social media to gain insight into different cultures and topics, all the while gaining knowledge they would not have otherwise had access to. In moderation, social media is a useful tool, which can be utilized to gain an upper hand in classroom discussions and knowledge of various cultures and other topics, but as with everything, an abundance is never a good thing.

For more information on educational surveys and the effects of social media on students, visit www.MastersInEducation.org.

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