In this generation, social media has become everyone's basic necessity, but do you think that social media usage has any real value in a student's life? Many students who don't even meet the legal age requirements for social media platforms are now creating accounts and uploading videos. Having access to social media can definitely have both negative and positive impacts on young people.

Let's examine the negative aspects of social media first, since these really affect students' lives in serious ways. Having a social media account as a student can have a significant impact on their academic performance. Social media can easily distract students from their schoolwork as well as their home responsibilities, making it difficult for them to focus on what's actually important. Students might also face cyberbullying and harassment online, which seriously affects young teens' mental health and pressures them to do things they're not comfortable doing. This makes them feel insecure about themselves and can cause lasting psychological damage.

These young middle school students could also be exposed to inappropriate content that's not suitable for their age. Even worse, their personal information, photos, and videos might get leaked, and some predatory adults might catfish these young teenagers and manipulate them into doing things that are completely inappropriate for their age. Some students might even commit cybercrimes without fully understanding they're doing something illegal. All of these problems can lead to serious issues like anxiety, depression, constant distraction, and other mental health problems that can affect them for years to come.

However, social media does have positive impacts as well, and it helps students in various ways that we shouldn't ignore. It can be genuinely helpful for research, completing schoolwork, and participating in various academic and extracurricular activities. Social media also helps students connect and communicate with loved ones, friends, and family members from overseas, which is especially valuable for families that live far apart. Social media also provides many opportunities for students to showcase their talents and skills and receive support from others, which encourages them and boosts their confidence. During the COVID pandemic, many students actually relied on online platforms and social media to continue their education through virtual classes. The content they discover online can also enhance their creativity and inspire them to explore new interests.

Overall, students using social media will definitely experience both benefits and serious drawbacks. Parents bear responsibility for educating their children about these topics and protecting them from the various dangers that social media can present. Even though there are clear advantages to using social media, it remains quite risky to allow young students unrestricted access without proper guidance. At the same time, students themselves must take responsibility for using social media appropriately instead of getting caught up in the negative aspects that can genuinely harm them in the long run.