The Internet has become a double-edged sword. How so? Well, even though it is a very useful tool in accessing information, the quality of my education is often compromised by social media. I am sure there are countless students who could relate to this.
Everyday our brains are flooded with information. If you are pursuing a degree or any other form of tertiary level education, like myself, you understand the long hours on Google and YouTube, the tedious visits to the university library, negotiating, nagging and even begging your lecturer to make the information more easily accessibly to you, and the constant battle to remain focused—to get off your phone, off Facebook, off Instagram, Twitter, Tumbler, What’s app, SnapChat and other distracting forms of social media.
It is preached constantly that one’s education is extremely important, however, one’s social needs could become a very big distraction. The Internet becomes your life as a student—a safe heaven for both work and play.
The 21st century has become an era of technological and media enhancement.
This indeed could be viewed positively for many economic, social and cultural reasons. But the flip side of this is that one is constantly bombarded by copious amounts of information, emanating from developed countries which have at times overshadowed local issues here in our society.
To make things worse, even within your academic websites, with pure intentions of being relevant to your studies, there are a links to Facebook, a pop up to Twitter, etc, so one cannot truly get away.
To deal with this students should make social media work for them by sharing, liking and commenting on Facebook issues relevant to their degrees, creating what’s app groups with people from their classes for additional help in studies, sharing pictures on their Instagram that will stir up meaningful discussion.
Use the Internet wisely and always keep in my mind that this is a love-hate relationship.
V Johnson