The Impact of Excessive Engagement in Social Media on Academic Achievement

Social media enables us to remain connected with loved ones and keep ourselves informed about current events. Particularly during the pandemic, it has proven to be a priceless means of communication. It would be incorrect to deem social media platforms intrinsically harmful. Rather, it is the excessive utilization of these platforms that is linked to adverse effects. This article will concentrate on exploring how social media affects the academic performance of students, who are among the most engaged internet users worldwide.

Student Social Media Usage: Statistics

Prior to delving into the impact of social media on academic performance, it is important to consider some relevant information.

• According to the Pew Research Center, 88 percent of individuals between the ages of 18 and 29 state that they utilize a minimum of one social media platform.
• According to Statista, 12 percent of individuals who use the internet dedicate over 4 hours each day to utilizing social media.
• According to Digital Information World, young adults aged 16 to 24 typically devote approximately three hours each day to using social media platforms.
• According to Statista, 42% of adults in the United States have utilized social media as a means of connecting with others during the pandemic.
• According to Statista, Gen Z and Millennials gravitate towards YouTube as their preferred platform.
• According to Mediakix, approximately 200 million individuals across the globe experience addiction to social media.
• According to FameMass, teenagers are spending an average of 9 hours per day on social media, which is considered to be an excessive amount.
• According to Statista, 40 percent of young adults aged 18 to 22 in the United States expressed a sense of addiction to social media.
• According to Mediakix, 10 percent of teenagers in the United States look at their phones 10 times each night.

Impact of Social Media Overuse

1. Time Management

Effective time management plays a pivotal role in determining students’ achievements in school. With the prominence of social media platforms, students are easily distracted, leading to an imbalance between their academic responsibilities and leisure activities. Consequently, students tend to spend their time in an irrational manner, neglecting the establishment of priorities.

People often spend a significant amount of time on social media platforms without realizing it. Consequently, students who excessively use these platforms often fail to meet deadlines and receive lower grades than they are capable of achieving. However, some students who are aware of effective studying techniques opt to use essaytyper ai online to ensure they submit all assignments on time. They also focus on developing time management skills and restricting the amount of time they spend on social media in order to maintain academic success.

2. Concentration

Social media is detrimental to concentration as it diverts the attention of students, hindering their ability to stay focused on their tasks. They often struggle to complete even basic assignments without getting easily distracted. Research by Ofcom on consumer mobile experience reveals that individuals typically check their smartphones every 12 minutes while awake. This constant stimulation disrupts one’s ability to maintain attention.

Moreover, spending too much time on social media causes the brain to become accustomed to multitasking. Consequently, rather than concentrating on a single task such as homework, students have a tendency to simultaneously browse through social media. Being overwhelmed by technology diminishes their capacity to effectively interact with the material, think deeply about it, and retain information. This negatively affects their academic performance.

3. Motivation

Motivational videos and images abound on social media platforms, with many students acknowledging their inspiring qualities. However, despite expressing interest in such meaningful content, a majority of students do not show a willingness to learn from or apply it in their daily lives. A study examining the connection between social media usage and motivation revealed that students who excessively engage with social media tend to develop a passive attitude.

As an illustration, individuals can become motivated to acquire a particular skill, register for a particular course, or compose an online essay, following the footsteps of their admired blogger. However, they may never take concrete steps towards achieving these aspirations since they devote their entire time to endlessly browsing through social media feeds. Additionally, social media platforms present unrealistic ideals that dissuade students from setting goals, as those objectives appear unattainable.

4. Mental Health

Overusing social media can result in mental health issues such as anxiety, stress, and depression, as well as negatively affecting students’ self-esteem and perception of their own values. Furthermore, emotional and mental well-being has an impact on students’ academic performance. Excessive online activity can lead to increased isolation and the belief that social media platforms can substitute for actual interpersonal connections.

When it comes to education, the negative effects of social media on mental health can hinder students’ ability to work together. This can make it challenging for learners to engage with their classmates and participate in group projects. Additionally, students may become less involved and consequently miss out on chances to develop their abilities and establish significant connections.

5. Communication

Despite the focus on conversation and sharing, social media frequently hinders students’ ability to communicate effectively in real-life situations. It should be noted that communication encompasses more than just the exchange of words; it also involves social cues, nonverbal signals, and emotional understanding. Regrettably, social media communication lacks these essential elements, causing face-to-face relationships to deteriorate for students who are addicted to it. Instead of participating in classroom activities, they tend to spend excessive amounts of time fixated on their phones.

Nevertheless, effective communication plays a significant role in the learning journey as it gauges a student’s capacity to articulate their ideas verbally and in writing. Insufficient communication skills will hinder students from actively participating in class discussions and accomplishing writing tasks.

Conclusion

Most students use social media every day, which is not unexpected as it has various effects on their lives. Although using it in moderation can be beneficial, becoming addicted to social media can have detrimental effects on students’ overall health and academic achievements. This primarily includes difficulties with concentration, managing time, mental well-being, communication, and motivation. Failure to address excessive use may hinder students from succeeding in their education and future endeavors.