Education – In today’s digital era, the influence of social media has become an inseparable part of everyday life, especially for generation Z, which is usually defined as those born between 1997 and 2012.
This generation grew up in a technology-dominated environment, where social interactions often take place in cyberspace.
While social media offers many benefits, its impact on the achievements of Generation Z children is an increasingly important topic to discuss.
Social Media: A Tool for Connection and Learning
One of the positive effects of social media is its ability to connect individuals around the world. Generation Z children can interact with friends, family, and even people who share the same interests, even if they are in different locations.
This not only expands their social network, but also opens up access to various sources of information and learning.
Through platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok, kids can follow education-focused accounts, get study tips, and engage in academic discussions.
Many educational influencers share high-quality content that can help children understand subject matter in a more engaging and interactive way.
In this case, social media can function as an effective learning tool, which is able to improve academic achievement.
Distraction and Decreased Concentration
However, on the other hand, social media also has a significant negative impact on the academic achievement of Generation Z children. One of the main problems is its highly distracting nature.
Many kids find themselves trapped in endless scrolling, spending hours looking at content that is unrelated to schoolwork.
Research shows that too much time spent on social media can reduce the time spent studying and completing homework.
This lack of focus can result in a decline in academic achievement, which in turn can affect children’s self-confidence and their motivation to learn.
Social Comparison and Pressure
One of the most striking aspects of social media is the phenomenon of social comparison. Generation Z kids often feel pressured to present the best version of themselves on social media platforms.
They may compare themselves to friends or influencers who appear more successful, which can lead to feelings of not being good enough.
The pressure to meet standards set by others can make children feel anxious and stressed. This psychological impact can lead to decreased motivation and academic achievement.
When children focus more on their self-image on social media than on their studies, this can hinder their development in terms of academic achievement.
Building Social Skills
On the plus side, social media can also help Generation Z kids develop important social skills.
Through online interactions, they learn to communicate, collaborate, and convey their ideas effectively. These skills are invaluable in a workplace that increasingly places a premium on interpersonal skills.
Joining an online community or discussion forum can enrich children’s learning experience. They can share knowledge, discuss ideas, and gain new perspectives from different backgrounds.
This can help broaden their horizons and improve academic understanding.
Managing Social Media Usage
The key to using social media positively is to manage its use. Parents and educators need to be involved in helping children set healthy boundaries.
This includes determining appropriate times to use social media, encouraging physical activity, and educating children about the negative impacts that excessive use may cause.
By providing a proper understanding of how to use social media, children can learn to divert their attention from unproductive content to useful information.
This education also covers the importance of building a positive self-image and how to avoid detrimental social comparisons.
Social media is a double-edged sword for Generation Z kids. On the one hand, it offers opportunities to learn and interact; on the other hand, it can also cause distraction and detrimental stress.
Therefore, it is important for parents, educators, and children themselves to be aware of the influence of social media on academic achievement.
With the right approach, social media can be a tool that supports learning and self-development, as long as its use is managed wisely.
Building awareness of these impacts is the first step to creating a generation that is not only skilled in technology , but also able to achieve optimal performance in their education.
