By By Ogunbowale, Tolulope Sobiye
Social media is seen as part of everyday life, especially among students. Many young people wake up and immediately check their phones before doing anything else. Some adults do same. Apps like Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook and X now influence how students communicate, relax, learn and even see themselves. Although social media has many benefits, its excessive use has become a serious problem in society today. What happens when students spend more time online than in real life? Instead of controlling social media, many students now seem trapped and controlled by it.
One major effect of social media addiction is poor academic performance. Many students spend hours watching videos, chatting online and following trends instead of studying. Some cannot read for thirty minutes without checking notifications on their phones. During lectures, many students are busy scrolling through their timelines instead of paying attention in class. As a result, assignments are poorly done, concentration levels dropped and examination results become disappointing. Truly, ‘time waits for no one.’ A student who keeps postponing important tasks because of social media may gradually lose focus on their future. For example, a student who spends the whole night watching videos online may struggle to stay awake and active in class the next morning.
Another serious issue is the effect social media has on mental health. Many platforms create pressure for students to live fake or perfect lives. Young people constantly compare themselves to celebrities and influencers who appear rich, beautiful and successful online. Sadly, many students forget that ‘all that glitters is not gold.’ Most of the things people post online is carefully edited to look perfect. However, students who constantly compare themselves to these lifestyles often feel insecure, anxious or depressed. Some begin to think they are failures simply because they do not own expensive clothes, luxury gadgets or large numbers of followers. Instead of building real confidence, many now seek validation through likes, comments and online attention.
Social media addiction also affects relationships in society. These days, people can sit together in the same room without having meaningful conversations because everyone is focused on their phones. Families hardly spend quality time together anymore. Friends go out but spend more time taking pictures and posting online than actually enjoying each other’s company. Many students now feel more comfortable chatting online than speaking confidently in real life. Little by little, genuine human connection is fading away. Can a society truly progress when people are becoming strangers to one another despite being constantly connected online?
Another worrying issue is the moral influence of social media. Harmful trends spread quickly online and students are easily influenced by what they see. Cyberbullying, internet fraud and indecent content are becoming more common among young people today. Some students become desperate to make quick money because social media constantly promotes wealth and luxury. Others engage in dangerous challenges or unhealthy behaviour just to gain attention and feel accepted. Many online trends appear harmless at first, but some are like ‘a wolf in sheep’s clothing.’ It is important for students to understand that not everything seen online is worth copying.
In addition, excessive use of social media also affects students physically. Many students stay awake late at night scrolling endlessly through their phones. Over time, this can lead to lack of sleep, headaches, eye strain, tiredness and poor concentration in school. Some students also become less physically active because they spend most of their time indoors using their devices. Definitely, too much of everything is bad, no matter how enjoyable it may seem.
However, social media is not completely bad. When properly managed, it can be useful for learning, skill acquisition, business promotion and staying informed about the world. Many students use social media to discover educational opportunities and connect with useful information. The real problem lies in excessive and uncontrolled use.
To reduce this growing problem, students need discipline and balance. Parents, teachers and schools should guide young people on how to use social media wisely. Awareness programmes can also help students understand the dangers of addiction. At the end of the day, technology should remain a servant, not a master. A generation that loses itself completely in screens may gradually lose touch with reality and the true purpose of life. Let’s be guided.
