Can social media cause poor academic performance in college?

There is no definitive answer to this question, as different students experience different effects from focusing on social media several hours per day. However, as a business dean, I have have worked with thousands of beginning college students over the last ten years. From my experience, social media can inhibit academic performance and intensify any propensity toward anxiety or panic attacks. Some of the possible maladies cited by experts include: Low self-esteem and body image issues. Social media exposes college students to unrealistic and edited images of other people's lives and appearances, which cause young people especially to feel inadequate or dissatisfied with their own life or self-perception. As you prepare your children for their college experience, you might consider advocating a social media "diet" or at least moderation so their academic performance is not compromised.

According to the movie @TheSocialDilemma, Mark Zuckerberg focused on college students and rating each other's looks as the impetus for creating Facebook. The Social Dilemma focused on?how big social media companies manipulate users by using algorithms that encourage addiction to their platforms. It also shows how platforms harvest personal data to target users with ads https://www.socialmediatoday.com/content/what-your-social-media-malady ?https://www.healthline.com/health/social-media-and-mental-health. For young people, it's important to set time limits, especially in the late evening. Prolonged exposure or obsessive social media habits are directly linked to poor sleep quality and quantity. Social media interferes with your sleep patterns by keeping you awake at night, (over) stimulating your brain, and disrupting your circadian rhythm?https://www.healthline.com/health/social-media-and-mental-health.

Anxiety and depression. Social media increases most of our stress levels, affects our moods, and triggers negative emotions such as envy, loneliness, or fear of missing out?https://www.healthline.com/health/social-media-and-mental-health.

Reduced attention span and productivity. Social media distracts many of us from our work tasks, personal goals, or even family responsibilities, and make it harder for you to focus or concentrate?https://www.healthline.com/health/social-media-and-mental-health. ? Some people may find social media beneficial for their mental health, as it can provide them with social support and connection. Social media helps you stay in touch with your friends, family, and communities, and offers a convenient platform to share your thoughts, feelings, and experiences?https://www.healthline.com/health/social-media-and-mental-health.

Information and education. As a positive, social media provides access to a variety of sources of knowledge, learning, and inspiration, and help you discover new interests, perspectives, and opportunities?https://www.healthline.com/health/social-media-and-mental-health. I have written recently on the benefits of Chat GPT AI and the future impact its likely to have on entertainment and creativity. Social media offers all of us a way to express our self, have fun, and enjoy content that suits your preferences, tastes, and hobbies?https://www.healthline.com/health/social-media-and-mental-health.

The?key to using social media in a more healthy way is moderation

Be mindful of how the social media you consume affects you personally, and to balance it with other aspects of your life that contribute to your well-being. Some reminders include:

1. Limiting your screen time. Set boundaries on how much time you spend on social media each day, and avoid using it before bed or when you need to focus on something else?https://www.healthline.com/health/social-media-and-mental-health. ??
2. Follow accounts and people that uplift you. Choose to follow people or pages that make you feel good about yourself, inspire you, or teach you something valuable, and unfollow or mute those that make you feel bad, envious or bored?https://www.healthline.com/health/social-media-and-mental-health. ??
3. Engage in positive interactions. Use social media to communicate with people who care about you, support you, and respect you, and avoid engaging in arguments, conflicts, or trolling?https://www.healthline.com/health/social-media-and-mental-health. ??
4. Seek professional help if needed. If you notice that social media is affecting you (or any young people in your life mental health) negatively or causing you distress, don't hesitate to reach out to a therapist or counselor who can help you cope?https://www.healthline.com/health/social-media-and-mental-health. :?Here are some articles for future research or inquiry: What Is Your Social Media Malady? Social Media and Mental Health: What's the Connection?