Social-Media and Education - A Mixed Blessing

Social media has gained reliability over the years as a trusted source of information and a platform where organizations can communicate with each. Gradually, teachers and schools are attempting to use the engaging qualities of social media as a helping had in classroom and beyond by connecting students, teachers and parents better than ever. Social media has brought a revolution in many industries, but its effect on the classroom and the education system as a whole, that is the most striking. Whether it’s through the use of private social groups, Facebook pages, classroom Twitter Profiles or Blogs, school after school has embraced social networking with some research showing that, used in the right manner, these mediums can have a positive impact on grades.

Social media is a blessing in many ways as it provides a path for students to easily contact one another regarding school projects, group assignments or for help in their homework. It also helps students who are unable to participate actively in class by providing them a platform to express their thoughts. Although this should not replace their class participation but it can help build the students confidence and encourage them to find their voice and be able to participate in class. Other advantage of social media is that students can also write a specific question in a personal message or to the teacher’s wall so that other students can also have an access to the feedback given by them. It is very useful for teachers, parents and students to stay on the same page about what is going on in school. 

Unfortunately, social media is also a curse. Social media, which should just be a part of human life, has become the most important aspect around which everyone’s lives revolve. The first concern that comes to mind when using social media in the classroom is how it will be a major distraction to the students during lessons because it will be a novelty to students and they will be pretty excited about it which will make it difficult for the teachers to follow through with a lesson based on internet research.

Along with this it will limit face to face communication, the risk of cyber bullying, malwares etc.

For a better tomorrow, social media should only be restricted to serve its main purpose i.e. infotainment and entertainment.

Only then social media will be known as a boon and not a bane anymore.