In the United States, the debate on whether social media has a positive or negative impact on students is constantly rising. Social media is used for so much more than just entertainment. It helps and hurts our mental health, academics and everyday social interactions.
But the question does it help or hurt us more is always changing. This debate involves college students who are dealing with long school hours, online work and excessive stress.
Recent news captured reports showing efforts to stop social media’s influence on students. In Massachusetts, lawmakers are proposing bans on phones in schools. More importantly, strict restrictions are being placed on social media platforms that profit from minors and show concerns about mental health (Deehan).
You can see these bans happening in Iowa high schools. Teachers report that phone use is distracting students from classroom expectations. This shows that excessive connection to the online world has consequences.
A Pew Research Center survey found that most students say social media helps them become connected to other real people.Others say that it has a larger negative impact on their productivity, sleep and mental health.
A different study, as reported by HealthDay News, explained that young adults who reduced social media use for just a couple of days felt a great reduction in anxiety, depression and alertness. This matters for students at Kirkwood, as we all use platforms like TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat daily.
Excessive use of social media can have extreme consequences like poor sleep, boosted anxiety and difficulty concentrating on schoolwork. These issues directly impact grades, class performance and success.
Teens feel a stronger connection when using these platforms with other students; they relate to online posts, games, and interactions. We gain opinions on important topics and even on less-known, unimportant topics.
However, the challenges arise when excessive use takes control. Don’t let social media be a constant substitute for healthy habits like sleep, exercise and in-person social interactions.
Kirkwood students know they need to recognize when they spend an excessive amount of time on social media. Setting personal screen time limits is a great way to become more aware of your consumption.
Turning off your phone in the classroom is proven to help academic success increase and choosing in-person connections over virtual online connections are great ways to improve your productivity and mental health. Plan on taking multiple short breaks throughout the day from social media, as it will improve their well-being and future success.
Categories: Editorials, Opinion
