Social Media, Is It Helping or Hurting Us as Students? by Melissa

Social Media, Is It Helping or Hurting Us as Students? by Melissa - March 2022 Scholarship Essay

When you were in school doing your assignments on an actual paper, holding an actual pencil, did you ever think to yourself about there being a time when everything will be completely virtual? Homework, quizzes, assignments, tests? Not going to class because it would be online anyways? Did it ever cross your mind? Well, since you have decided to read this essay, you may be pondering on the question: Is social media helping us or hurting the education system? We all wonder this at one point or another. Is social media making things better as new advancements are created every year? Or is the real world slowly but steadily being ripped from our grasp as technology takes control and people lose control? I seriously question this as I type this essay on my school Chromebook. Social Media.

The term “social media” refers to a computer-based technology that facilitates the sharing of ideas, thoughts, and information through virtual networks and communities, according to Investopedia. How has social media influenced education? What are some challenges students face because of it?

In my experience with social media, the positives of having it include: the chance to obtain new information that I had no idea about. It’s provided a new means of useful resources for students and teachers to do classroom assignments and projects. Students are able to do work online assigned by their teachers. Social media became especially popular and helpful last year while I was learning virtually as a freshman. I also believe that it has been a big help and will continue to be a big help for first generation high school seniors who don’t really know all that well about the college application process. They will get to learn about important things such as career opportunities, essay templates, resume templates, internships, volunteering opportunities, etc.

Social media has helped me access many free resources and websites that have helped me with homework and studying. I’ve gained knowledge on certain things in a shorter amount of time and in an easier way than I would have learned in class. It’s helped me learn new languages. Communication between parents and teachers is easier.

On the other hand, there are definitely disadvantages involved with social media such as: After endless scrolling on social media, I feel drained, tired, and my eyes hurt. It has affected my mental health and poses a distraction in school, making it hard to focus at times. Social media has been time-consuming especially when I have assignments to do, and it has caused me to forget some things. Most of the time all of my classmates are on social media in classes and there’s barely communication interaction besides from the teachers. In most cases, students tend to rely on information from social media rather than their prior knowledge.

Social media is a subject of debate, it’s both helpful and hurtful at the same time. It’s up to us as individuals to be responsible and knowledgeable in order to use social media in moderation.