Are Social Networks Good for Students? The Pros & Cons

Published January 25, 2019

Social media are extremely popular today. It’s great place for connecting with friends, coworkers, family because you can share important moments fast. But what if social media steal your time, happiness, productivity and focus on important things?”

Social networking has a drastic influence on today’s youth, as it has become an integral part of young people’s lives. It has changed the way we interact with people, get our daily dose of news, and do business.

Almost half of the population of the world uses social media. And, the majority of this population consists of school and college going students.

But, why do they spend a lot of time on these social sites? Well, the answer is simple — to connect!

Social networking sites such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Quora, YouTube, Snapchat, etc. has taken the world by storm. It is through these platforms they can share their thoughts, opinions, and ideas with the entire world. They can even build new friendships and stay connected with the whole world.

But, is social media good or bad for youth? Let’s find out!

PROS:

Social media can be an asset for students if used within a limit. So, let’s answer the question “Why is social media good for them?”

Online Classes

One of the good things about social media is that students can learn new things through various online classes just by sitting at their homes. These online classes are offered by teachers from all over the world. For example, students in UK can learn to make websites from an online tutor living in Australia.

Connect with other students

Social media sites like Facebook and Quora enables students to connect with their friends, classmates and teachers regarding homework, group projects, and assignments.

The students can collaborate with their teachers and other experts and discuss their problems from the comfort of their homes. They can clear their doubts and solve problems even if they are far from each other.

Students can also post useful information in groups which can benefit and educate other students.

More technical knowledge

Social networks help students to be up-to-date with various technological advancements. They are always in touch with the world are fully aware of the changing trends in technology.

Students today have complete knowledge of computers and smartphones, a skill that can be useful for further studies and job.

Useful for homework and assignments help

Many times students are unable to complete their homework and assignments before the due date. In such situations, there are many online platforms that offer assignment help for students. You can easily search for these online platforms on the internet. For example, if you are from UK, all you need to do is search excellent assignment help in the UK on Google, and there will be endless options to choose from.

More job opportunities

With the more and more advancement of social media, many companies have started recruiting candidates via social media. There are many platforms where students can find a job that suits their skills and requirements. Some of these platforms are LinkedIn, Facebook, Upwork, Freelancer, Fiverr, etc.

Students can create their unique profiles on these platforms and add their qualifications and skills. In this way, they can also remain up-to-date with the latest job opportunities from various companies.

CONS:

There is no doubt that with the creation of social media, teenagers’ lives have become simpler, faster and easier. But, think a little deeper. Do their lives have truly become happier with social media?

Let’s see why social media is bad for them.

Sedentary lifestyle

There’s no denying that social media impacts student’s health. Nowadays, students spend more time glued to their screens leading to a sedentary lifestyle.

Excessive use of social media diminishes their interest to indulge in outdoor activities. This can result in more physical health risks.

Moreover, using mobile phones and sitting on the computer for a long period can also result in various health problems such as weak eyesight, back and wrist pain, headaches, and fatigue.

No time to study

Social media distracts students from homework. The time that has to be spent doing homework and studying for a test is wasted on apps like Facebook, Instagram, Netflix, YouTube, etc. And thus, at the end of the day, they are left with no free time to complete their homework.

Emotional impact

Too much dependence on social media increases the risk of mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and stress. It can even deteriorate the ability of students to communicate with others and can make them feel isolated in the long-run.

Moreover, many students compare their own lives with others’ by stalking their perfectly filtered photos on Instagram or Facebook that can knock down their self-esteem. Thus, social media can cause unhappiness among youth if used without caution.

Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying has become an alarming trend. Social media sites can be used to hurt other student’s feelings. A student can post anything bad about another student that can leave him scarred for life.

CONCLUSION

Is social media good or bad? Well, it depends entirely on how you use it. Social media is a great platform for students and teenagers to make friends and learn new skills. At the same time, if used without caution, it can lead to various physical and mental health problems and destroy social skills. It can lead to addiction among students that can result in bad habits.

Therefore, considering the above pros and cons, one should understand that social networking sites create a virtual world which is different from reality. Students should use these social platforms effectively and must be aware of their positive and negative effects.