Technology is the driving force behind the development of many innovations that have affected all areas of our lives. All sectors of human life are experiencing a new lease on life, and the educational sector, in particular, has been completely revolutionized as a result of technology. For instance, technology has led to the development of virtual classrooms that replaces the traditional classroom-based systems facilitating learning despite distance limitations. Also, students can now complete their writing assignments on time due to the presence of numerous writing agencies that provide college essay writing services to students. However, the most significant impact of technology on the learning environment is social media. This article will discuss the positive and negative effects of social media on students’ performance. Here are the positive results:

Engages Students

In a time where health restrictions prevent students from accessing traditional-based classrooms, social media is a tool that facilitates distance learning. Most tutors now hold classes and lectures on social media platforms like Skype and Zoom, and with little data, students join the conversation by using the comment box. After classes, lecturers use social media to drop lecture notes and materials in the class social media group chat. Also, social media allows lecturers to answer multiple questions sent by students through their various emails. This improves the performance of a student by engaging everyone in the class.

Group Learning Is Possible

Beforehand, students formed reading groups to share ideas and complete assignments. However, due to health restrictions that have prevented physical meetings, group learning seems impossible. However, social media is a tool that allows students to maintain group discussions online. Students now create social media groups to discuss and answer questions related to the course of study. Also, ideas and resources that help in the completion of assignments are shared with everyone on various social media platforms. Hence, social media allows students to learn effectively by facilitating group learning.

Platform to Showcase Talents

Social media provides students with the right platform to showcase their talents and innovations. For instance, a student that built a new machine can share pictures of his or her achievements on social media. Since social media has a vast audience, people can ask questions and offer felicitations, providing a sense of satisfaction that drives more passion for academics.

Exposure to Job Opportunities

By presenting their innovations on social media, students expose themselves to lots of job opportunities. Also, most companies make job postings through their social media pages, and students on social media can apply for the job if they have the required qualifications. The job opportunities will motivate students to work harder in their academics.

Access to Vast Areas of Knowledge

Thousands of professional groups exist on social media, and industry-based resources are uploaded regularly on most of them. A student on this platform enjoys access to relevant journals, magazines, articles, and other publications that will be helpful in many ways. Also, social media exposes students to unlimited updates of some emerging innovations in their field of study. This provides students with vast knowledge increasing their ability to think and brainstorm.

Suit the Demands of the Industry

Social media is the only place you can have unlimited access to professionals that can mentor you in their area of expertise. You can connect with most of these experts from the professional groups they belong to, and if your pedigree is convincing, they will help you meet up the demands of the industry.

Improves Point of View

Social media is a tool that has improved tutor-student relationships by providing a platform for students to access their tutors with ease. In the past years, before the advancement of social media in learning, most teachers answered only a few questions in class due to time. However, social media is a channel that allows them to answer relevant questions in their spare time, improving their communication and accessibility. Their ability to attend to these questions helps students to draw more points of view on subject matters.
Now let’s consider the negative effects of social media:

Distracts the Students

Social media is a major distraction to students; most of them cannot read a page of a book without surfing the internet. Also, instead of linking up with professionals that will shape their lives, most students misuse social media to obtain cheap popularity and fame. Some students even go as far as posting nude content just to get famous on social media and when they spend lots of time on social media, completing their academic tasks in time becomes a challenge.

Negative Health Impacts

Regularly staying on the internet can have a negative impact on the health of a student. When they use laptops for long hours, students can suffer from adverse health conditions like poor eyesight. They can also have their minds deranged.

Laziness

Social media encourages laziness among students because most students who use social media personally find it very difficult to complete their assignments. They now rely more on writing agencies to get their essays done, which will not help them improve academically.
In conclusion, social media is a tool that has made both positive and negative impacts on the general performance of students. Looking at the bright side, social media has helped students make tremendous progress; for this reason, social media should not be completely discouraged.

WRITTEN BY

Clara Rose