Photo by Prateek Katyal on Unsplash
By Jacob N., Grade 9
Brace yourself for a shocking truth: social media’s addictive grip is wreaking havoc on students’ academic performance. Discover the alarming correlation between excessive social media use and declining grades, and why urgent action is needed to protect our educational pursuits from this digital menace.
In today’s digital age, I can’t help but feel deeply concerned about the overwhelming presence of social media platforms like Snapchat, TikTok and Instagram in our lives as students. It has become increasingly clear to me that these platforms possess addictive qualities that can have detrimental effects on our academic performance. I strongly believe that it is high time for these companies to address the addictive features of their platforms and prioritize our well-being over their pursuit of profits.
When I delve into the research conducted on social media addiction and academic performance, it is alarming to see the direct correlation that exists. Take, for example, a study conducted by researchers at the University of Chicago, which found a significant link between excessive social media use and lower academic achievement among high school students. As they tracked the online behavior and academic records of a large sample of students, it became evident that those who spent more time on social media platforms had lower grades compared to their peers who used social media moderately. These findings provide compelling evidence of the negative impact social media addiction can have on our academic performance.
What’s more, I came across a study published in the Journal of Youth and Adolescence that explored the influence of social media addiction on our study habits. The research shed light on the fact that excessive social media use is associated with poor time management skills and a decrease in effective study strategies. It is disheartening to learn that students addicted to social media reported spending less time on academic tasks and experiencing difficulties in staying focused and motivated. These findings underscore the detrimental effects of social media addiction on our ability to engage in productive study habits and perform well academically.
It is worth mentioning that social media companies themselves have begun acknowledging the potential negative consequences of their platforms on our well-being. For instance, Instagram has launched initiatives to address mental health issues related to excessive social media use. They have collaborated with mental health organizations and experts to provide resources and tools for us to manage our online presence and well-being effectively. While these efforts are commendable, I firmly believe that more needs to be done to address the addictive features that drive social media addiction and its impact on our academic lives.
As a student, I have personally witnessed how the addictive nature of social media platforms can hinder our academic success. Features like Snapchat’s streaks, TikTok’s infinite scroll, Instagram’s focus on likes and followers, and Instagram’s constant notifications have become major distractions and obstacles to our studies. The fear of breaking a streak on Snapchat can consume a significant amount of our time and attention, diverting us from our academic responsibilities. TikTok’s endless stream of captivating content and personalized algorithm make it incredibly difficult to resist the temptation and maintain focus on our studies. Instagram’s emphasis on likes and followers fuels an insatiable need for validation, often leading us to prioritize online popularity over our educational pursuits.
The consequences of social media addiction extend far beyond just poor grades. As students, we often find ourselves sacrificing precious hours of sleep to engage in endless scrolling or respond to notifications. This lack of quality sleep negatively impacts our memory retention, cognitive abilities, and overall well-being, which in turn affects our academic performance. Additionally, excessive social media use can lead to social isolation, impede our real-life social interactions, and have a detrimental impact on our physical and mental health, all of which further hinder our overall school experience.
In conclusion, social media companies must address the addictive features of their platforms and prioritize our well-being over their pursuit of profits. We as consumers can also minimize the effects that social media has on us. By setting screen times and reminders we can slowly decrease the negative effects that social media has on our lives.
Chandrasena, P. P. C. M., and I. M. P. S. Ilankoon. ”The impact of social media on academic performance and interpersonal relations among health sciences undergraduates – PMC”. Journal of Education and Health Promotion, n.d. vol. 11, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmc91702 24/. Accessed 21 June 2023.
Roger. ”New Tab”. Springer, 2023 https://www.springer.com/journal/10964. Accessed 21 June 2023.
Barrett, K. ”Social Media’s Impact on Students’ Mental Health Comes Into Focus | NEA”. 2023 https://www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/new-from -nea/social-medias-impact-students-mental-health-c omes-focus. Accessed 21 June 2023.
“Media and Children Communication Toolkit”. 2023 https://www.barnstable.k12.ma.us/site/default.aspx ?PageType=3&ModuleInstanceID=9514&ViewID=5C8B25C6- C8F8-4BD5-923B-8A7C70A93DDA&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID =13747&PageID=4560&Comments=true. Accessed 21 June 2023.
Adam. ”New Teen Safety Features and ‘Take a Break’ on Instagram | Meta”. Meta, n.d., https://about.fb.com/news/2021/12/new-teen-safety- tools-on-instagram/. Accessed 21 June 2023.