Exploring the Surprising Impacts on Student Success
It has already been firmly established that social media plays a crucial role in the higher education community. However, we haven’t answered one important question – can social media improve student academic performance?
We know that it can do a lot in the ways of marketing for the school, establishing connections and relationships for the students, and even helping them get information faster and easier. But can it improve their performance?
Are Students Active on Social Media?
Some people might consider this question redundant, especially the students who know that social media is already a big part of their lives. However, most of us don’t know just how big a part it is. According to the latest studies, an overwhelming 96% of students with access to the Internet use social media platforms.
As we already know, most of the students in the developed world have access to the internet, so we can safely say that almost every student in the west is using social media. What’s more, some 59% of these students tend to talk about education on these platforms.
One question remains though – is this activity beneficial for their academic performance, or is it perhaps detrimental?
Does Social Media Help or Hurt Student Performance?
Despite what the social media cynics are saying, social media on its own is not detrimental to the students’ overall academic performance. Social media is merely a tool, and when it’s used in the right way, it can be very helpful to their academic life. Studies have already been done on this topic, and most, if not all, have affirmed this idea.
Most of the researchers are positive that social media is a tool, and if used correctly, it can be very beneficial to the student’s academic performance. They also say that if used carelessly and without thought, it will be detrimental, mostly because it will waste the students’ time – time that they would have otherwise used to improve their grades.
How Can Social Media Benefit Students Academically?
Ultimately, social media offers students far more than a way to connect with friends; it’s a powerful academic tool when used with purpose. By actively seeking educational content, exploring field-specific advancements, and engaging with like-minded peers, students can transform social media into a gateway to deeper understanding and academic success. The key is intentionality—using social media not just as entertainment, but as a strategic resource for learning and growth. With this mentality, students can leverage social media to boost their performance and stay one step ahead in their academic journeys.
