Social Media: Pros & Cons for Students

As we all know, earlier communication with a person was impossible due to long distance, but now there’s no barrier for it. The world of social networking has brought drastic changes in the way we communicate today. From the time of travelling for hours and days to meet or speak to a person, we do now by just an instant call or a message. The world is changing everyday to its best version.

Social media has become a part of everybody’s life, and we are getting addicted to it. We start our day by posting a good morning message on social media, where we try to follow the latest trends and like to reflect uniquely in the crowd. It’s a platform where we showcase our talents, thoughts, feedback, memories and many more. We can find and connect to a group of people across the globe with similar interests and share our thoughts. People find an inspiration, role models on social media and follow their lifestyle, interests, personality and try to replicate them. 

As per the recent reports, social network users have increased rapidly over the time and are estimated to rise and multiply in the near future. As we have a vast number of social media platforms today, most of us use Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, WhatsApp, YouTube, Twitter and many more. Almost every student has an account on various social media platforms, the youth are attracted towards it and spend most of their time online. Due to the spread of COVID-19, students are attending online classes. Although, most of the parents think social media is a barrier to academics. We have to understand that social media has both positive and negative sides. It depends on the students to make the best use of it. Many social media apps like Zoom, Google meet, Google classrooms  have replaced our physical classrooms. Social media is a significant aspect in every student’s life, indeed!

1. Academics Assistance

Students can find teachers/ mentors /institutes from anywhere around the world through social media and gain knowledge from them. They can obtain online course materials and can access it easily. There is no need to carry big textbooks. Also, students can obtain various information related to their projects, assignments and exams.

2. Online Classes

In the present scenario, students need not travel to schools and colleges. Instead, classrooms have arrived at their doorsteps virtually. Social media provides wonderful platforms for students and teachers to interact online.

3. Easy Availability of Information

Students can exchange the information to anyone in one click. They can share their notes, projects, and course materials with their friends easily. There are many social media apps and sites which provide educational assistance to students which will be helpful during their exams. 

4. Games 

Students can also have fun with their friends while sitting at home. There are plenty of games designed for youth where they can make groups and play online.

5. Learn New Skills

Apart from academics, students can also learn various skills with the help of social media. They can watch videos and learn crafting, dancing, acting, singing, etc. They can also take up online courses as per their interest from any institute. Social media helps to learn new things everyday such as general knowledge, life hacks, health tips, riddles, and so on.

6. Distance is Never a Barrier

 You can reach out to anyone from anywhere in the world as it helps to connect with friends by regular chats and calls. It makes bonds stronger and communication is never broken. You can interact with people from different countries and learn about their cultures and traditions. 

7. Showcasing Your Talent

Social media acts as a platform to showcase your talents and attracts an audience to support your work.It may lead students off track as everything has its own downfall:

• Currently, many students are addicted to social media. Most of their time is consumed on entertainment apps and they lose the chance to spend time with their families.
• Looking at the achievements and success of others, you may begin comparing which sometimes lead to depression.
• Addiction to social media makes students put their tasks and duties on hold.
• Sharing personal information and pictures on social media puts privacy at risk.
• Students neglect their studies which gradually lead to poor academic performance.

In today’s world social media has become a part of every single student’s life. Students should be aware of the pros and cons so that they can make good use of this for better learning and development.