Social Media: Educational Concerns by Kaylee

Social Media: Educational Concerns by Kaylee - March 2022 Scholarship Essay

Across the country and the world, citizens find themselves enjoying global connectivity. With smart phones, laptops, and other devices, the ability to stay connected and up-to-date on what is happening has never been easier. While most people find tools such as social media an added advantage in our lives, it can also cause difficulties. This is especially true when it comes to how we learn. Consequently, social media has forever impacted the way in which we learn.
To begin, social media has an affect on how learning occurs. For example, many people now claim to get their news from sites such as Facebook. As such, stakeholders must require that safeguards prevent the disimination of false or "fake" news. If social media giants like Facebook become the breeding ground for fake news, the outcome can spell disaster. Case in point, through Russian interference and the use of computer bots, many Americans were fed false information, especially with regard to presidential candidates in the election of 2016. Ultimately, enough damage occurred so that the country elected a highly incapable and unqualified President in Donald Trump. Nevertheless, the damage was done. Our country remains hihgly divided and at odds, all because of the impact of social media.
Next, social media can also have a negative impact of teenagers. Most teens find social media a necessary part of the high school experience. However, it can be used to bully and intimidate others. It can serve as a tool for exposing students and causing more harm than good. When students fear social media in this way, they may exhibit excessive absences, lack of participation, and/or become the target of cyberbullying. Consequently, social media can actually be harmful to teens and the information they become exposed to.
Overall, while not all aspects of social media are bad, enough negative consequences have put social media in a bad light. In addition, these sites become even more dangerous for teens, especially with regard to how sites impact education. Therefore, much work needs to occur to ensure that social media giants clean up their act, and provide educational news, advice, and information which serves to help society rather than hinder it.