The Pros And Cons Of Student Social Media Use

[Updated October 2023]

contributed by Justin Marquis, Ph.D

In ‘Only Disconnect,’ Andrew Reiner, writing for The Chronicle of Higher Education, lamented the state of American youth, particularly their preoccupation with social media.

By the end of his article, Reiner advocated for social media Sabbaths, in which students would disconnect from their networks to more deeply engage with each other and their academic pursuits. While there are certainly negatives associated with social media overuse, it is also a valuable part of the way our society functions.

Here are some of Reiner’s negatives about student social media use, counterbalanced by potential benefits to help educators take advantage of this valuable resource for student learning.

The Negatives of Social Media Use for Students

Negatives of Social Media for Students

However, social media can significantly distract students, leading to procrastination and reduced focus on academic tasks. The constant notifications and the lure of checking updates can interrupt study sessions, resulting in lower academic performance and decreased productivity.

Furthermore, social media can expose students to cyberbullying and mental health issues. Negative comments, peer pressure, and online harassment can cause emotional distress and anxiety. The pressure to maintain a certain online image can also lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem.

Lastly, excessive use of social media can impact students’ physical health. Prolonged screen time can lead to eye strain, poor posture, and sleep disturbances. The sedentary nature of social media use can contribute to a lack of physical activity, essential for overall well-being and academic performance.

Pros of Social Media for Students

Social media platforms provide students with access to a wealth of information and educational resources. They can join academic groups, follow educational pages, and participate in online discussions to supplement their learning. This connectivity allows them to explore subjects in depth, access up-to-date information, and engage with experts and peers worldwide.

Additionally, social media facilitates communication and collaboration among students. It enables them to collaborate on projects, share ideas, and receive feedback quickly. Platforms like Google Classroom, Facebook groups, and educational forums create virtual study groups where students can help each other understand difficult concepts and stay motivated.

Moreover, using social media helps students develop essential digital literacy skills. They learn to navigate online platforms, evaluate the credibility of information, and responsibly use digital tools. These skills are increasingly important in the modern world, where digital competency is crucial for both academic success and future career opportunities.

More Positive Of Social Media Use By Students

Distraction – In his article, Reiner is talking not about the momentary distraction of an isolated text message, but rather the way in which social media involvement provides an acceptable diversion from intellectual pursuits. Essentially, he is arguing that it is socially safer to stay connected to peers through always-on social media, than it is to put oneself out there by having a legitimate opinion about a serious topic and disconnecting from the social networks long enough to put it out there.

Pressure to Conform – Reiner cites examples of students confiding that one of the main reasons behind their 24/7 connection is a fear of not keeping up with peers or appearing “like a loser in public,” as one of his students confided in a class journal.

The Positives of Social Media Use for Students
While Reiner makes many valid points about social media’s negative effects on students, particularly their level of academic risk taking, he fails to acknowledge some very positive effects that might make participation in social media a real benefit for students. While all of these may not be the mainstream ways that students use social media, they are important benefits that can be realized if educators are willing to embrace disruptive technology in their classrooms.

Social Constructivism – In the age of Wikipedia, knowledge is increasingly becoming a social construction rather than the domain of an individual expert. Social media provides an easily accessible tool for helping students to work together to create their own meaning in academic subjects, social contexts, or work environments. Social media platforms are regularly used in business to enhance worker connections and allow for seamless collaboration across distances. Supporting the development of this skill for students prepares them for real working experiences.

Breadth of Knowledge—While “shallowness” of knowledge and connections was listed as one of social media’s negatives, the flipside of that shallowness is the broadness of the knowledge and connectedness students can experience through social media use. It is now easier than ever to know (or find out) something about almost anything in the world through connected media. Additionally, students can be connected to a broader base of opinions and world views through instantaneous global connections.

Technological Literacy – All social media relies on advanced information and communication technologies that seamlessly work to build and support technological literacy. Simply put, one cannot be engaged in deep and meaningful uses of technology without developing rich 21st Century skills such as information evaluation, troubleshooting, mediated communication,  and others that will enable connected learners to become valuable contributors to a connected global economy.

All three of these aspects of social media use are excellent matches to employer expectations and help to develop the 21st Century skills that students will need to be successful in a globally connected economy.

What Can the Skeptical Educator Do?

There is no right or wrong answer about social media in our educational systems. It is an evolving method of communication and one that is only more likely to gain acceptance and prevalence. Rather than rail against it, it makes more sense to embrace it, minimize the negatives and teach students new ways of engaging with social media, their instructors, and each other that will support them in becoming connected learners with the skills to become successful connected workers.