Scrolling Smart: How Social Media Shapes Student Life

 In Opinion Piece, Students Articles

Today, one of the most common issues online is cyberbullying. It’s not just the hurtful comments under fit checks on Instagram or being cancelled because your opinion or belief doesn’t align with someone else’s. Social media platforms can facilitate bullying and harassment, leading to emotional distress and long-term psychological harm for affected students. You may have laughed at a comment body-shaming a plus-sized girl on TikTok, but how does she feel? Or maybe someone made fun of a post you shared when you felt confident. Social media often becomes a place for bringing people down, starting rumours, and tarnishing reputations.

Procrastination is another consequence. The excessive use of social media can lead to procrastination and reduced focus on academics, affecting students’ productivity and performance. Taking snaps because you’re bored in class or scrolling on TikTok during prep time—it’s hard to stay disciplined. School can be dull, and these apps are designed to be addictive, with algorithms feeding off your interests. However, it shouldn’t reach the point where your grades begin to plummet because you’ve been laughing at Instagram reels from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Believe it or not, social media can also reduce your social skills. Overreliance on online communication may impair students’ ability to develop and maintain face-to-face interactions, limiting their ability to build meaningful relationships. Many students rely on social media for friendships. This can create anxiety in real-world interactions, making people less comfortable with face-to-face communication. It can lead to avoiding social situations and a decline in the ability to handle interpersonal conflicts or discussions effectively. Moreover, social media interactions are often brief and surface-level, causing a reliance on quick, informal exchanges. Over time, this can erode the ability to engage in deeper, more thoughtful conversations that require empathy and active listening.

But social media isn’t always negative. It can be positive if used in the right ways. Social media can introduce you to many educational resources. I found numerous study techniques on TikTok that worked because the algorithm is tailored to my interests. Social media platforms also offer access to vast educational content like tutorials, study groups, and learning communities where students can share resources and tips. During my IGCSE period, there were so many TikTok accounts with helpful resources that aided my studies. It didn’t even feel like I was learning because it was on TikTok, but I was.

When it comes to networking and building beneficial relationships for the future, social media is a great platform. One DM could land you a managerial position at a big company. Students can connect with professionals, organizations, and mentors in their fields of interest, opening doors to internships, scholarships, and career opportunities. Sports, university, and entertainment scouts are all over the internet, so a single post could open successful gateways for students’ futures.

Social media can also assist with skill development. A random person on Instagram may help you understand titration or the supply curve better than some of your teachers ever could. Social media provides access to learning outside of the classroom and helps students develop various skills. By creating and managing content, students can improve their digital literacy, communication skills, creativity, and time management.

Social media can impact students both negatively and positively. What we, as students, need to focus on are the positive effects. That way, we can responsibly learn and grow together while also being entertained.

About the Author

Kayla Ohemaa Shiaka is a Year 12 student at International Community School. Passionate about learning and creativity, she explores the intersection of education and technology, advocating for a balanced approach to social media use among students.

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