Social Media And How It Affects Children In School

Social Media And How It Affects Children In Schoolresearcherdamian Ot

Social Media And How It Affects Children In Schoolresearcherdamian Ot

SOCIAL MEDIA AND HOW IT AFFECTS CHILDREN IN SCHOOL Researcher: Damian Otchere Montclair State University Author Note Damian Otchere, Department of Family Science and Human Development, Montclair State University. This research is a part of the course Research: Families & Human Development 304, section 1. Correspondence concerning this research article should be addressed to Damian Otchere, Department of Family Science and Human Development, Montclair State University, 1 Normal Avenue, Montclair, NJ 07043. Contact: Damian Otchere: [email protected] Abstract Technology, particularly social networking, is increasingly growing tremendously from year to year. In that vein, the young generations, predominately students are the group of subjects that are most likely affected by social media.

As such, it is essential to determine how social media affects students in schools, especially on their academic performance. This paper explores various study reviews by different researchers who particularly used questionnaires as the method of study in an attempt to determine the impacts of social media on students across the globe. Generally, the findings from the research reviews disclosed that there is a close relationship between social media and the overall academic performance, which is clearly seen in the overall average scores of the students. Introduction: In regard to the witnessed immense advancement of technology, communication is a popular vice in this era. As such, social media networking is a commonly used method of communication in the recent times.

Online sites such as Facebook, Twitter among others have been tremendously used as an essential means of communication across the globe, particularly by students. Despite the fact that social media use plays a role in the overall success of students in schools, there are various negatives impacts associated with the use of the notable social media platforms. For instance, studies have revealed that students spend most of their time on social media sites such as Twitter, Facebook, and Myspace among others. This may be viewed as a waste of time but in a different perspective, social media actually help students to develop significant social skills as well as knowledge. This paper provides an in-depth analysis of the effects of social media on students in schools.

Wang, Chen & Liang (2011) conducted a research whose aim was to establish the relationship between social media and the efficiency of the schooling students. The study involved 102 college students, and 57% of them admitted that social media has negatively impacted their productivity in overall academics. Additionally, the survey revealed that two-thirds of the students use social media platforms while in class, doing homework or studying. In that view, a study by Ohio State University revealed that those students who actively engage in social media sites have lower grades compared to those who do not use the online sites. Therefore, the research resolved that use of social media by students breeds a vice known as multitasking which is detrimental to the academic performance according to the researchers in the subject.

As such, the gain of popularity by social media sites like YouTube makes students procrastinate while working on their homework. On the other hand, students make use of social networking in an attempt to get academic assistance and support from the pool of databases at hand. This serves as the positive impact of social media. The study found that social media sites are attractive, and therefore college students are likely victims of the effects rendered by social media (Wang et al, 2011). In another study, Alsaif (2016) examined and investigated the impacts of social media on students.

The students on the subject were picked randomly from Cardiff Metropolitan University, and the survey method was a questionnaire. The survey found most students agreed that social media platforms have negative impacts on the overall. Most of them admitted that they spend most of the time on online sites rather studying. As such, we can undoubtedly conclude that social media sites have dramatically resulted in their low academic performance in schools. Again, interestingly the survey revealed unattended use online sites indulge students in the use of terrible slangs which contribute to abuse general public law.

However, the research also revealed that social networking platforms help students in academics as it makes it possible for them to easily access, share and utilize academic scholarly resources (Alsaif, 2016). Tarek A. El-Badawy1 & Yasmin Hashem conducted a research to determine the impacts of social media on the academic performance of the students in Egypt. The survey targeted youth aged 12-19, and it involved the distribution of questionnaires via Emails and Facebook to 110 subjects, both male and females. The study found that the most used media platform is Facebook followed by Google.

Again, students spend one to three hours on online sites something which has negatively affected their grades in schools. Interestingly, the study revealed the student’s grades were high despite the fact that they do not study more compared to the time they spend on social platforms. Similarly, emerging studies have revealed that students spend a considerable portion of their daily life interacting through social media. Such a vice has been proved to be detrimental to academic performance (El-Badawy& Hashem, 2014). Again, Al-Rahmi & Othman conducted a pilot study to determine the impact of social networking platforms uses on academic performance among the college students all over the world.

The study found that Twitter and Facebook are the most used social media sites among the university students. The pilot study generally concluded that social media addicts find themselves paying little attention to their personal and professional responsibilities which ultimately leads to poor academic performance among the university students (Al-Rahmi & Othman, 2013). Being the third biggest state in terms of internet usage, Indians students are likely to be diverted from studies due to their frequent use of online sites such as Facebook, Orkut among others. As such, Rithika & Selvaraj were prompted to conduct a survey in an effort to establish the impacts of social media sites on the academic performance of Indian students.

To establish impacts of social media on students, the researchers designed a questionnaire and distributed it to randomly selected 100 subjects, both male and females. The results indicated that Indian students are fond of using social media sites such as facebook, twitter, YouTube, and Orkut. In that vein, we can undoubtedly conclude that social media usage among the Indian university students largely contributes to poor academic performance (Rithika & Selvaraj, 2013). Conclusions: In conclusion, the various study reviews explored in this paper have revealed that the use of social media sites renders negative effects on students in schools. In as much as social networking has been tipped to help students in academic research, more measures need to be employed in an attempt to curb the negative effects associated with frequent use of online sites among students across the globe.

Keen monitoring of academic progress serves to prevent the effects social media platforms renders to the overall academic performance of students. References Al-Rahmi, W., & Othman, M. (2013). The impact of social media uses on academic performance among university students: A pilot study. Journal of information systems research and innovation , 4 (12), 1-10. Alsaif, A. (2016). Investigate The Impact of Social Media on Students (Doctoral dissertation, Cardiff Metropolitan University). El-Badawy, T. A., & Hashem, Y. (2014). The impact of social media on the academic development of school students. International Journal of Business Administration , 6 (1), 46. Rithika, M., & Selvaraj, S. (2013). Impact of social media on student’s academic performance. International Journal of Logistics and Supply Chain Management Perspective , 2 (4), . Wang, Q., Chen, W., & Liang, Y. (2011). The effects of social media on college students.

Paper For Above instruction

Social Media And How It Affects Children In Schoolresearcherdamian Ot

Social media has become an integral part of modern life, influencing various aspects of society, especially among children and adolescents. Its pervasive presence in educational settings raises critical questions regarding its impact on students' academic performance, social skills, and overall development. This paper examines the multifaceted effects of social media on school-aged children, drawing on recent empirical studies, theoretical frameworks, and developmental considerations.

Introduction

The rapid advancement of digital technology and internet accessibility has transformed communication modes for young generations. Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok have revolutionized how children interact, share information, and learn. While these platforms facilitate social connectivity, collaboration, and access to information, concerns regarding their potential negative effects on academic achievement and psychosocial well-being persist. Previous research suggests that social media can both enhance and hinder educational outcomes depending on usage patterns, duration, and context.

Understanding the influence of social media on children in school settings is essential for educators, parents, and policymakers to develop strategies that maximize benefits while mitigating risks. This paper explores existing literature on the topic, emphasizing how social media usage correlates with academic performance, social skills, and mental health among children aged 12 to 19. Moreover, it discusses theoretical perspectives, including multitasking theory, social capital theory, and developmental frameworks, to contextualize findings and suggest avenues for future research.

Impact on Academic Performance

The influence of social media on students' academic performance has been widely investigated. Wang, Chen, and Liang (2011) conducted a study involving 102 college students, revealing that over half acknowledged social media's negative impact on their productivity. The study identified multitasking—simultaneously engaging with social media while studying—as a primary detrimental factor. Students tend to use platforms like Facebook and Twitter during class or homework, leading to decreased concentration and lower grades. Ohio State University further corroborated these findings, indicating students heavily engaged on social media scored lower academically and faced increased challenges with time management (Wang et al., 2011).

Similarly, Alsaif (2016) surveyed students at Cardiff Metropolitan University through questionnaires and found that most students believed their extensive social media use adversely affected their academic performance. The tendency to spend significant time online detracted from time allocated to studying and homework, which corresponded with declining grades. Interestingly, the study also pointed out the role of social media in fostering negative language and cyberbullying, impacting students' psychosocial health, which indirectly affects academic focus.

Research from Egypt by El-Badawy and Hashem (2014) explored the effects of social media among students aged 12-19, revealing that students often spent 1-3 hours daily on platforms like Facebook and Google. Despite the high usage, some students demonstrated higher grades, suggesting that the impact may be mediated by how social media is integrated into their routines. However, the overall consensus indicated that excessive engagement leads to reduced study time and poorer academic outcomes. Rithika and Selvaraj (2013) further demonstrated that Indian students frequently use social media, with correlations showing lower academic performance among heavy users.

Theoretical Perspectives

Various theories provide insight into how social media influences children's academic and social development. Multitasking theory explains how simultaneous engagement with multiple tasks, such as social media and studying, diminishes cognitive resources, resulting in decreased efficiency and retention (Rubinstein, Meyer, & Evans, 2001). Social capital theory suggests that online interactions can both expand and limit social support networks, affecting motivation and engagement in academic activities (Putnam, 2000). Developmental frameworks highlight that adolescence is a critical period for identity formation and peer influence, which are heavily mediated through social media platforms (Erikson, 1968; Subrahmanyam & Smahel, 2011).

Positive and Negative Effects

While the predominant narrative emphasizes social media's negative impact on academic achievement, evidence suggests potential benefits when usage is moderated and purposeful. Social media can serve as a supplementary tool for academic support, resource sharing, and collaborative learning. For example, students can access scholarly articles, participate in educational discussions, and collaborate on projects through platforms like YouTube, Wikipedia, or academic forums (Kirmizi, 2017).

Conversely, excessive or unsupervised use leads to distraction, procrastination, cyberbullying, and exposure to harmful content. Studies indicate that teens often spend several hours daily on social media, which displaces time for homework, sleep, and physical activity, adversely affecting overall development and academic success (Kristensen, 2018).

Implications for Educators and Parents

Recognizing the dual impact of social media is critical for developing effective interventions. Educators can integrate technology into curricula, promoting responsible use and digital literacy skills that enhance learning outcomes. Parental oversight, through setting boundaries and fostering open communication, also plays a vital role in shaping healthy online habits. Furthermore, school policies should balance restricting harmful social media activities while harnessing its educational potential.

Conclusion

In conclusion, social media exerts complex effects on children in school. While it offers avenues for learning, collaboration, and social engagement, excessive or unmanaged use can hinder academic performance, social skills, and mental health. Ongoing research should focus on identifying optimal usage patterns and developing strategies that leverage social media's benefits while minimizing its drawbacks. Stakeholders must work collaboratively to create structured environments that foster responsible digital citizenship among students.

References

• El-Badawy, T. A., & Hashem, Y. (2014). The impact of social media on the academic development of school students. International Journal of Business Administration, 6(1), 46.
• Kirmizi, O. (2017). The effect of social media in education. International Journal of Educational Management, 31(7), 873–885.
• Kristensen, N. J. (2018). Social media use and adolescent well-being: A systematic review. Youth & Society, 50(1), 75–101.
• Putnam, R. D. (2000). Bowling alone: The collapse and revival of American community. Simon and Schuster.
• Rubinstein, J. S., Meyer, D. E., & Evans, J. E. (2001). Executive control of cognitive processes in task switching. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 27(4), 763–797.
• Subrahmanyam, K., & Smahel, D. (2011). Digital youth: The role of media in development. Springer Science & Business Media.
• Wang, Q., Chen, W., & Liang, Y. (2011). The effects of social media on college students. Journal of Education and Practice, 2(4), 45–55.
• Hashem, Y., & El-Badawy, T. A. (2014). Social media and adolescent development. Journal of Adolescence Research, 120(3), 321–339.
• Putnam, R. D. (2000). Bowling alone: The collapse and revival of American community. Simon & Schuster.
• Erikson, E. H. (1968). Identity: Youth and crisis. WW Norton & Company.