Beyond the Screen: Exploring Students’ Views on Social Media's Impact in Education

This study delved into the intricate relationship between social media usage and academic outcomes among university students from diverse fields: engineering and art studies, health and social care studies, and business studies. The study employed a two-pronged methodological approach, encompassing a survey questionnaire and focus group discussions. The survey data, reported in a separate publication, provided quantitative insights into students’ social media usage patterns, preferences, and perceived impacts on academic performance. The focus group discussions, conducted across three university campuses, facilitated a more in-depth exploration of students’ experiences, motivations, and the nuances of their social media usage behaviors. The study's findings highlighted the complex interplay between social media and academic outcomes. While excessive social media engagement could negatively impact academic performance, social media could also be harnessed for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and peer-to-peer learning. Students’ preferences for specific social media platforms were influenced by the purpose of use and the desire to maintain a sense of autonomy. The study concluded that educators should adopt strategies to help students manage their social media usage effectively, maximizing its potential benefits while minimizing distractions and negative impacts on academic performance.