A REVIEW ON

SOCIAL MEDIA
USAGE AMONG
STUDENTS BEFORE
THE PANDEMIC
By: Jhon Cedrick Llano
STEM 11 St. Raphael
11/6/21
INTRODUCTION:
Social media platforms include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. These social
networking platforms are often visited by students. Social media has changed how people,
groups, and organizations generate, exchange, and seek information. In addition, most students
are so accustomed with social media that they consider it their sole world. So it's crucial to think
on how we got here and what our recent social media "advancements" could signify for us in the
future. Because current social media are more accessible, interactive, usable, and ubiquitous than
conventional media (e.g., newspapers and television). In 2017, internet users spent an average of
almost 2 hours per day on social media and messaging services, over one third of their daily
computer usage. With the use of social media, people may connect and speak with others all over
the globe, creating a global village. Although mobile devices are not required to access social
media, they boost its efficacy by increasing use frequency. Over 95% of students have access to
a mobile device with internet connection, therefore employing mobile technology for educational
purposes may only exclude 5% of students. Most schools have computer. Some of them allow
students to borrow a laptop or tablet for a short time, which may boost information searching and
study accessible. One of the key aims for students is to learn how to connect with people and
create social networks that will help them throughout their school careers and beyond.
DISCUSSION:
In addition to improving communication, social skills, and technical skills, social media has
shown to benefit students. Most students use social media to connect with friends and family,
make new friends, share pictures, and exchange ideas. Students can also develop their own sense
of self and social skills. Today's students are introverts with low self-esteem. They can improve
their social skills and interact with their visual friends by using social media as a communication
tool. This type of communication can foster respect, tolerance, and increased discussion about
personal and global issues. Social media can also connect them to people overseas. Languages
can teach students how to interact with foreigners. Making new friends can motivate them to
learn new languages and use applications to communicate with each other. Their friendship can
push them to explore a country's culture, environment, and beliefs. Students also tend to reveal
themselves to their peers who share their interests. Aside from that, social media helped middle
and high school students learn by connecting them on homework and group projects. Students
can use Facebook and other social media tools to collaborate on assignments outside of class.
Not to mention, some schools have used blogs to help students learn outside of school hours.
Students daily use social media, specifically social networking, which encourages them to use
technology for learning. Online learning tools are more effective than traditional classroom
learning (using textbooks) according to Simonson et al. (2000). Students are more likely to use
YouTube for informal learning. YouTube provides video content that goes beyond the classroom
and textbook. It also provides tutorials and shows students how to do certain things through
videos. It is also easy to share information and access online materials at one's own time, which
are reasons why students prefer social media as tools for informal learning.
Despite the numerous advantages of social media, we must be mindful of its ‘dark side'. Social
media use by students is more common than most adults believe. Adults dread cyberbullying and
online harassment as a result of using social media. Cyberbullying is the use of digital media to
spread inaccurate, humiliating, or hostile information about another person. Online harassment
and cyberbullying are often interchangeably, although they are distinct entities. Online
harassment is less widespread than outside harassment, and most students are not at danger of
online abuse. However, most students face cyberbullying, which may lead to sadness, anxiety,
social isolation, and even suicide. Amanda Michelle Todd from Columbia, a cyberbully victim,
hanged herself at home. She was 16 at the time. The girl used flash cards to recount her story of
being blackmailed into displaying her breasts via webcam, and of being tormented and
physically attacked. Sexting is a social media disadvantage. Sexually explicit texts, images, or
pictures sent by phone, PC, or other computerized devices is known as sexting. Over 20% of
teenagers have emailed or uploaded nude or semi-nude photos or videos. Sexting has been
punished or charged as a felony child pornography, however other jurisdictions have been
classifying such actions as juvenile law crimes. Privacy and digital footprint are major
considerations while using social media. When Internet users visit different websites, they might
leave traces of their visits. “Digital footprint” refers to these recordings. Students who are
ignorant of privacy problems sometimes publish indecent words, images, and videos online.
Facebook, for example, requires personal information to activate an account. Their personal
information may be leaked to the public, and they may become victims of crimes like abduction.
To avoid privacy problems, some professors advise students to establish new profiles for class
usage. This method forces students to have many accounts, increasing the expense and
decreasing the effectiveness of social media.

CONCLUSION:
Social media has accelerated communication, socialization, learning, and business. People began
sharing on social media and in virtual worlds with technology everywhere in everyday life. This
review paper aims to explain if online life is improving or hindering our relationships, but also
how it affects our youth today. As web-based social networking develops, we are overlooking a
place with so much inspiration, where civilization persists. Social networking has made student
life easier in the twenty-first century. To be fair and legitimate, we must admit that online
existence has both benefits and drawbacks. The long-term implications of the social media
revolution on society and people remain unknown. In this way, much thought is required.
Because the influence of social media is subtle and builds over time, Wilcox (2012) suggests
"Eventually, the way you check this is by raising your mindfulness. It's not about don't invest
energy in social media, but rather just know about what it may do to you”. It's not about avoiding
using social media, but rather being aware of what it can do”.
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