In the field of education, one of many subject areas that I am interested in is student learning and the impact of technology, particularly, social media on students’ mental health. I often consider the positive and negative aspects that technology has on society in general but more specifically students’ academic and mental well-being. During my time as a teacher, I have noticed a heavy increase in cell phone usage and social media apps within school hallways and within classrooms. For some students, the use of cell phones and social media has been detrimental to their learning. For some responsible users, it has been an asset for them in their learning.  I have had a few students of note who have had serious issues with putting their cell phones away and engaging in learning within the classroom. I don’t deny that social media and cell phone use have many positive aspects, but there are also negative aspects as well.

Positive Aspects of Technology

Among the many positive aspects of technology and social media in the classroom are:

#1 The feeling of social connectivity. The use of cell phones by school-age children has helped connect students to one another, especially students who may feel marginalized within their community or their classroom. Social Media for teenagers today is an “ important part of growing up, to socialize and make friends. Why this is important?[2] It is because, it allows the children to exchange ideas and learn new things. This will invariably result in them becoming more confident in life. ” Akram, “A Study on Positive and Negative Effects of Social Media on Society.”

Students in the LGBTQ community often feel more isolated than other students in the classroom.  Connecting with students via social media in this context I think would be very beneficial.  Online networks provide LGBTQ+ individuals with “safe and accepting environments online” to “address challenges they may face in their daily lives, such as social isolation.” Geeng and Hiniker, “LGBTQ Privacy Concerns on Social Media.”

#2 Another positive aspect of social media and technology usage by students is awareness and support.  For example, for the awareness of mental health issues. In today’s society, we are seeing an increase in mental health problems, and I wonder if social media is helping or contributing to the problem or a combination of both. Having access to a support network is a positive thing.  Being able to discuss mental health issues in a safe online environment, not face to face is going to reduce anxiety around discussing difficult, seemingly taboo issues for people.

#3 Cell phones and social media have been instrumental for students to access information very quickly. Teachers can even take advantage of the technology students bring to class and use it for student learning within the classroom itself.  Some might argue that it’s more important to know how to find information than to have information memorized.  Students can engage in learning in a variety of ways through the use of their cell phones or social media. Students can engage in online discussions, they can participate in synchronous online learning, or even take an independent course on their cell phones. The entire knowledge of the Internet is at their fingertips or in their pocket.  In this rapidly changing technological society “staying connected with friends and family, making new friends, sharing pictures, and exchanging ideas, social media participation can also offer adolescents deeper benefits that extend into their view of self, community, and the world. ” O’Keeffe, Clarke-Pearson, and Council on Communications and Media, “The Impact of Social Media on Children, Adolescents, and Families.”

Negative aspects of technology and social media

Like most things, social media and technology are best used in moderation. There are some negative aspects that can affect student mental health and student learning if the technology is abused. “Abuse of these destinations [social media] once a day has many adverse impacts on the physical and psychological wellness of students making them lazy and unmotivated to make contact with the general population face to face.” Akram, “A Study on Positive and Negative Effects of Social Media on Society.”

#1 One of the largest issues I see with cell phone usage and social media within the classroom is addiction and distraction interfering with learning. A student in a past class taught, had a serious cell phone addiction and could not leave it in his pocket while in the classroom. This particular student’s work suffered greatly. When he was put into a group work situation for a project, his partner was often left doing the work while he was on his cell phone. The issue came to a head when he was asked for his cell phone as he had been warned many times and the phone was still a complete distraction for him. The student was so addicted to his technology that he rather leave and go to the office and explain the situation to the administration, rather than surrender his phone for his own benefit.  Eventually, the student decided to withdraw from the class due to his not being allowed to use his phone during class time. The student had the constant need to check his social media to stay updated.  Maybe he was afraid of missing out and that created anxiety within him, and it further exacerbated his stress level. The addiction definitely impacted his learning and his productivity level within the class.

#2 Bullying has always been an issue within the school system, often students who were subject to bullying would have this happen in the school on the school grounds sometimes on the way home, but home was usually a haven to escape the bullying. With social media and the Internet, suddenly there was no escape from the bullying. Bullies went online and would either directly bully a potential victim by messaging, or they would go on social media and post things that the person or their friends would eventually see, leaving no place to escape bullying.  With no place to escape the effects of bullying become a lot more difficult to deal with and more mental health issues are going to arise as a result.

#3 Social comparison is also a negative thing when it comes to Technology and social media.  Many people, students and adults alike, compare themselves to others whom they see doing wonderful things on social media. Often you see people who appear to have their lives completely together, however, what you see online is not usually the actual truth. Many people put on their best face showing their best life and doing the best things, when in truth, many of these people have ordinary normal lives, sometimes their lives are chaotic and they’re trying to gain some sort of normalcy in their lives by posting normalcy of their life in social media.

More education on responsible use for teenagers and often for adults would be most helpful in eliminating the negative impacts of social media and technology. Used the correct way, social media can bring people together and become a safe haven for learning and connection. Without responsible use social media can lead to anxiety, depression, bullying and a myriad of other issues.  Education is the answer.

Geeng, Christine, and Alexis Hiniker. “LGBTQ Privacy Concerns on Social Media.” arXiv, November 30, 2021. http://arxiv.org/abs/2112.00107.

 O’Keeffe, Gwenn Schurgin, Kathleen Clarke-Pearson, and Council on Communications and Media. “The Impact of Social Media on Children, Adolescents, and Families.” Pediatrics 127, no. 4 (April 1, 2011): 800–804. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2011-0054.

Akram, Waseem. “A Study on Positive and Negative Effects of Social Media on Society.” International Journal of Computer Sciences and Engineering 5 (March 21, 2018). https://doi.org/10.26438/ijcse/v5i10.351354.