maximizing the academic potential of social media while minimizing its harms

By: Imellia Destien

Elfi, S.Pd.I, M.Pd

Students' lives have been completely changed by social media, which has changed the way they interact, study, and pass their time. Some claim that social media helps students learn, while others claim that it distracts them and makes it harder for them to succeed academically. This paper makes the case that social media has two effects on students' academic performance: while excessive or entertainment-driven use tends to worsen academic results, its use as a learning tool can improve achievement.

Firstly, when used strategically for learning, social media can have a positive impact on academic achievement. According to research by Suita Allemina Gloria et al. (2019), students' GPA and the amount of time they spend using social media for learning are significantly positively correlated. This suggests that social media platforms can help students learn and get better grades when they are used as academic tools. The potential of social media to improve engagement and comprehension was also highlighted by a study by Martn-Gutirrez et al. (2019), which showed that undergraduate and graduate students who took part in social media-based academic activities outperformed those who did not. These results imply that social media, when skillfully incorporated into education, can boost academic performance by facilitating information access and teamwork.

On the other hand, social media use for entertainment or social interaction has been shown to have detrimental effects on academic performance. Chandrasena and Ilankoon (2022) found that social media use is a strong predictor of academic success and that heavy users typically have lower GPAs. Sharma et al.'s randomized controlled trial from 2024 further supported the idea that Grade 12 students' use of social media significantly reduced their academic performance and teacher-perceived engagement. These studies highlight how excessive use of social media can negatively impact students' academic performance by diverting their attention, cutting down on study time, and impairing concentration.

Additionally, social media's impact on academic performance differs depending on gender, usage frequency, and goal. A study by Olatunde et al. (2020) noticed gender variations in academic performance but found no significant effect of social media frequency on accounting achievement, indicating that social media's influence is intricate and multidimensional. While social media use has a nearly favorable effect on academic performance, Krishna Priya et al. (2019) also found that this link is mediated by privacy concerns and connectivity, highlighting the necessity for thoughtful and balanced use. These subtleties suggest that the influence of social media on academic performance is not universal and is contingent upon certain usage patterns and situations.

Furthermore, if used properly, social media can promote academic motivation and participation, according to certain research. Social media use during classes has a favorable impact on students' academic performance, independent of educational level, according to a study from Spain's National Distance Education University. This implies that teachers can use social media to engage students in interactive learning settings that foster cooperation and a deeper comprehension of concepts. However, the absence of consistent communities of practice within these networks suggests that formal supervision about the use of social media for academic purposes is necessary.

In conclusion, students' academic performance is impacted by social media in both positive and negative ways. While it can improve engagement and knowledge acquisition when utilized as a study tool, excessive use for enjoyment has a detrimental impact on academic results. In order to maximize social media use, instructors and students should emphasize its educational advantages while reducing distractions. Future regulations and instructional plans ought to concentrate on helping students utilize social media in an appropriate manner in order to optimize its potential as a helpful academic resource.

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