In today’s world, each of us is a true digital citizen. We spend many hours on the web for many different reasons. This is especially true for college students.
Modern students can’t survive without the Internet. They were born to become digital citizens, and they use every opportunity that it offers to them. From reading https://takemyclassesforme.com/take-my-statistics-class before delegating their college tasks and researching the topic of their next project to keeping up with global news, there are plenty of things that you can do online.
And among these opportunities is social media, which seems to be the most significant part of students’ lives.
The Role of Social Media in Modern Students’ Lives
A study by Experian reveals that 98% of college-level students are on social media. This number indicates the massive role social platforms play in students’ lives.
But why exactly do students get on social media?
According to experts, these platforms offer several opportunities valued by young people:
● Creative exposure. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and others are places where students can showcase their unique personalities, demonstrate their skills, share their thoughts, and tell their stories. In other words, such platforms serve as a space for creative exposure.
● Networking. Initially, the core goal of media was to help people connect across the globe. Indeed, these platforms allow students to make many valuable contacts and stay in touch with same-minded people, friends, and families.
● Entertainment. From the very beginning, social platforms also became a place for recreation. Users can discover many fun content on different platforms, including memes, videos, etc.
Although these three opportunities seem to be the primary reason students hop on social media, there are other causes, too. According to surveys, 79.7% of young people use such platforms to obtain new information, and 55.1% do it to find employment opportunities.
As you can see, there are many uses for social media for students, which explains the vast role these platforms play in their lives.
The Pros and Cons of Social Media for College Students
Although it plays a significant role in your life, social media has pros and cons.
Let’s first look at the benefits of using these platforms in your college years:
● Communication. When you arrive at college, it’s natural to feel a bit lonely. Apps like Facebook allow you to stay connected with your family and friends. Besides, they let you connect with current classmates and teachers. This is especially beneficial for introverted students who struggle to communicate in person.
● Ideas exchange. Social networks allow you to share your ideas and learn from other’s ideas. On different sites, you can access plenty of helpful resources that will help you find information, ideas, and inspiration for your projects.
● Global contacts. With Instagram or Facebook, you can make a lot of new friends not only in your region but all across the world. This can be an excellent opportunity to make lasting friendships, discover new cultures, learn different languages, etc.
● Real-time support and help. Lastly, networking platforms can serve as a great source of service and support. Such sites have large community users with different interests, skills, and knowledge. You can use it to find the learning assistance you need.
What about the downsides? Although the benefits are tangible, social networks also hide a few significant cons for college students:
● Detachment from the real world. Although using these platforms can be beneficial, the effect can be adverse if you spend too much time on them. This can lead to detachment from the real world and make it hard to communicate with people face to face.
● Cyberbullying. Unfortunately, social media gives people a feeling of anonymity and impunity. This leads to many cases of cyberbullying, which can lead to anxiety and even depression.
● Distraction. Finally, one of the biggest concerns related to using networks in college is that it can distract young people from learning, mainly when used solely for entertainment. Tips for Navigating Social Media Wisely While in College
1. Update Your Active Profiles
Even active users often need to remember to update their pages regularly. This is a big mistake, especially if you hope to use social platforms for networking or career purposes. After all, how can you make meaningful connections if people see outdated information about you?
To make the most out of your profiles, update them regularly. Don’t be afraid to share information about your place of study, interests, aspirations, and more.
2. Get Rid of Old, Outdated Profiles
Many of us first registered on sites like Facebook when we were younger. Many such accounts become forgotten over the years. And though it doesn’t sound like a big problem, your old profiles can come back to bite you!
Recall and access your old pages and either clean up the data or terminate them altogether.
3. Be Mindful About the Content You Publish
Since networks serve as places for creative expression, you will likely want to share something yourself. This is a great thing to do. But as a college student, you must be very mindful about the content you share.
Remove any questionable, offensive, or otherwise lousy content from your pages. When making new publications, ensure they are ethical, positive, and respectful of others and don’t violate any terms of use. This is a crucial tip because your professors or future employers can quickly browse you online. And you don’t want them to find any harmful content.
4. Follow the Right People
Finally, to make the most out of networks, you should be mindful of the people you follow. First of all, you would like to connect with your family and friends. As for other subscriptions, follow industry experts, successful people, and others who offer quality and valuable content.
Conclusion
As a digital citizen, you can’t avoid using social media. These platforms have long taken the world by storm and keep trending.
After reading this article, you know about these sites’ pros and cons for college students. Apply this knowledge to use social media to your maximum benefit in college!