From Distraction to Dedication: The Paradoxical Effects of Social Media on Student Academic Performance

Abstract

Over many years, the use of social networks has proliferated and become fundamental to students' lives.These mechanisms provide the means for academic growth and distract attention at the same time; mostly, such effectiveness drove apprehension about their influence on students' academic performance.The use of social media can be a strong tool for improving academic work through interaction and availability of resources; however, it is also likely to expose the students to distractions and loss of control to effectively manage time.This study seeks to consolidate existing studies that address the advantages and disadvantages of the usage of social media about achievement in education.A systematic review following the PRISMA 2020 protocol was performed in major databases such as Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar.25 studies focused on the social media impact on academic performance and incorporated regulations such as demographics, usage, and education.The review indicates that social engagement promotes educational engagement through improved division of labour for academic tasks, enhanced access to learning materials, and increased social interaction via networks that are useful in academic learning.Excessive or irresponsible engagement in social networks, on the other hand, breeds distraction and procrastination that results in cognitive overload causing negative effects on academic performance.Besides, age, gender, and other related socioeconomic factors also play a moderation role; younger students seemed more prone to distractions.The research finds that social network sites are beneficial for educational purposes, especially for learning and enhancing engagement, however purposeful use of these sites is important to reap the benefits and avoid the negativity.Students, teachers, and education authorities need to work together for the full benefits of social networking for education.More studies should be directed at these new technologies and how to find a perfect balance in the use of social media to improve learning outcomes.