Social media is an interactive technology that facilitates the creation and sharing of content, ideas, interests, and other forms of expression through vital communications and networks (e.g. Facebook, WhatsApp).
How Social Media Has Changed the World
Social media platforms are used all over the world. The rapid and vast adaption of technology is changing how we access information from the news media, loved ones, family, and organizations thereby, bringing about political change.
Thousands of secondary school students have problems through the use of social media and this contributes negatively to their academic performance. Some students find it difficult to focus on their studies but find it easy to stay glued to social media.
It is easy to become addicted to social media, and research shows that students who spend too much time on social media can suffer from poor sleep, negative body image (inferiority complex), anxiety, and poor academic performance.
Effects of social media on secondary school students include;
Interconnectivity: Before now, it was nearly impossible for students to interact with other students from other schools (globally). But with the advent of social media platforms, it is very easy for students to interact with other students across the globe and share common ideas
Despite the advantages of social media platforms, it has negative consequences such as:
Learning Bad Behaviour: Social media platforms are unregulated and people post a lot of negative behavioral attitudes such as gangsters’ videos, pornographic contexts, etc. Secondary school students start to practice these, which negatively impacts their studies.
Lack Of Reading Culture: Before now, students faced their books strictly since there was no social media available to them but today, most secondary school students would rather engage in social media platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, and WhatsApp.
Cyberbullying is oppressing with digital technology, it can take place on social media, messaging platforms, and mobile phones. It is repeated behavior, aimed at scaring or shaming targeted people.
In conclusion, the inordinate use of social media by secondary school students is alarming and has started to hurt them
Students tend not to make personal connections with others which has led to increased levels of anxiety and depression. Since technology is here to stay, we must ensure it does not make secondary students less interested in the outside world and physical connections.
Written By: Ms. Arefa Tamarakile F.