Social Media and Students: Exploring the Link Between Usage, Academic Performance and Mental Health

Abstract

 Social media has become an integral part of modern life, deeply influencing various societal sectors, including education. Platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube are not only avenues for communication and social interaction but also provide students with opportunities for information sharing and learning. With the increasing prominence of these platforms, the impact of social media on academic performance has garnered significant attention. While it offers potential benefits, such as facilitating collaborative learning and easy access to educational content, it also presents challenges, including distractions, procrastination, and a potential decline in academic engagement (Junco, 2012).  This paper investigates several questions related to linkage between Social Media Usage, Academic Performance and Mental Health. The research work has been carried out to study the impact of Social Media on the Academic Performance and Mental Health of the students in Bhiwani District of Haryana, India. A sample size of 60 was taken for the study from Postgraduate Students studying at University Teaching Departments of Chaudhary Bansi Lal University (CBLU). The main findings of the study show that Social media is beneficial for connecting with friends and family, finding information and resources, and networking for career opportunities. Social media can lead to academic distractions, feelings of inadequacy, cyber bullying, and mental health concerns. It also contributes to sleep disturbances and the pressure to maintain a positive online image. The need to take breaks from social media to maintain mental health is widely recognized among students.