Policy Paper
on
Topic: Impacts of social media on education
In Pakistan
Submitted By: Shahzad Ahmad
Submitted to: Dr Muqarrab Akbar
BPA 7th (Morning)
Roll No # 08
Department of Political Science, BZU
Multan.
Topic: The impacts of social media on education in
Pakistan.
Abstract
This paper focuses on the complex relationship between social media and Pakistani students,
highlighting its potential as both an educational tool and a source of distraction. It recognizes the
need for students to navigate this digital landscape wisely, balancing learning with potential
pitfalls.
While acknowledging the positive impacts of social media, including increased access to
information and collaborative learning opportunities, the paper also raises concerns about its
potential drawbacks. The literature review points to studies that link excessive social media use
with decreased academic performance and negative mental health effects, such as anxiety and
depression. This could be fueled by factors like chasing likes and followers, or facing
cyberbullying.
Key words
Social media, Education, Academic performance, student’s behavior
Introduction
Social media refers to the interaction among people in which they create, share exchange information and
ideas in virtual communities and networks. The most common social media apps are Facebook, twitters
Instagram, and YouTube etc.
In this era of technology, internet plays a vital role in almost every field of life. so, the users can
communicate each other using different platform. Students use these for communication, preparing
different project, assignment and presentation. There are differ Platform for different purposes like formal
communication users usually use Gmail, yahoo, or Hotmail. And for casual talk and sharing different
kind of stuff users prefers Facebook, twitters, Instagram. For connecting someone urgently users avail the
facility of WhatsApp. For online streaming users use YouTube and for online games users go to minikilt
or blizzard entertainment.
As Pakistan is vibrant and diver’s nation with rapidly growing youth population. The influence of social
media on student of Pakistani students is a subject of great importance and this paper aims to provide a
comprehensive understanding of its impact in simple terms. For Pakistani students these platforms are not
just place to chat and share photos; they are transforming how they learn socialize. Students now have to
access to a world of information at their fingertips so they can use all the social media platform easily.
This access to a wealth of knowledge can be game changer for their learning experience. But it also can
be danger for the students as the same social media that offers educational benefits can also be a source of
distraction. Scrolling through endless feeds, watching cat videos or engaging in virtual gossip can make it
challenging to focus on [Link] there is need to find a balance
Social media has also a significance impact on student’s mental health, the different factor as likes,
followers and cyberbullying are real issues. These factors can lead to anxiety depression and self-low
esteem among students. Addressing these challenges is crucial to ensuring their wellbeing. So social
media is a double-edged sword for Pakistani students. It offers a world of opportunities for learning,
connection, and self-expression. But it also a present challenge to their focus on the mantel health of
students.
Literature review
The way that students use technology is evolving due to the popularity of social networking sites. People
of different ages use technology with equal ease, as seen by Prensky's (2001) concept of digital
immigrants (those born before 1980) and digital natives (those born after 1980). Researchers and
policymakers find it challenging to keep up with the rapidly evolving field of social networking's impact
on education (Livingstone & Brake, 2010). The National School Board Association reports that nearly
60% of students using social networks discuss educational topics online, and over 50% talk about school
work. However, many school districts have strict rules against social media use during school hours.
Social networking is increasingly used to support relationships between teachers and students, with
platforms like Ning and TermWiki created for this purpose. Social media is also becoming an online
yearbook for both public and private use, allowing anyone to register and connect with others. It
facilitates just-in-time learning, engagement, and participation in a culture where learners create spaces
for affinity, expertise dispersion, and relatedness (James, 2005
One of the positive impacts of social media on education in Pakistan is the increased access to
information. Several studies (Dr Ali Muhammad khan, 2023,Ghulam Mustafa, 2022) highlight how
platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube have become valuable sources of educational content.
Students can access lectures, tutorials, and educational resources, reducing geographical and economic
barriers to education.
Social media platforms present chances for information exchange and cooperative learning. Researchers
(Malik Rehman (2022) have discovered that Pakistani students participate in online forums and study
groups, exchange notes, and conduct conversations via these platforms, which helps to build a feeling of
community among students.
There are observations that if this social media obsession continues unchecked, it could further contribute
to the challenges faced by the education system in Pakistan (Sunday Observer). The trend of spending
excessive time on social networking sites, as highlighted in a study of 884 students in different Pakistani
universities, indicates an obsession among youths (Olowu & Seri, 2022). Another study on Facebook and
academic performance in Pakistan universities suggested a negative correlation between the time spent on
Facebook and students' grade point averages (Ogedebe, Emmanuel & Musa, 2022).
Hypothesis
increased use of social media platforms among students may lead to distractions, reducing their focus on
academic tasks and assignments, resulting in decreased overall productivity and learning outcome
Objectives.
To examine the correlation between social media use and academic performance in Pakistani
educational institutions.
To assess the extent of social media usage among students in Pakistan.
To examine the negative impact of social media on student academic performance.
Methodology
This study based on a quantitative method. besides conducting a literature through literature review,
primary data was collected through a [Link] questioner’s survey was filled by teachers, students of
primary secondary and higher education. A simple random technique was used to conduct survey .so the
responses has been given in percentage.
Results and discussion
So, my survey has proved my hypothesis wrong because survey in the favor of Pakistan education
[Link] analysis of survey is given below;
Data shows that there are many perceptions in society about the increase use of social media in Pakistan.
So, perception shows that social media has decrease the academic performance of students but the survey
is opposite to it. A large number of respondent (54.3%) strongly agreed while 30.4% agreed that social
media has potential to revolutionized the education in Pakistan.
60
fig.1
50
40
0
30 54.5
20
33.3
10 0
2 0 10.6
0 0
1.5 3
strongly disagree neutral agree strongly
disagree agree
Data shows that most of the students about 40.9% agree and about 27.3 % strongly agree that they use
social media for educational purposes (fig.2). And majority about 90% believed that social media
enhances collaboration and knowledge sharing among students (fig.3)
Fig.2
And data 3.00%strongly disagree shows that about
27.00%strongly agree 10.60%disagree
57.6% agree that they use social
18.20%neutral
media platforms to
40.90%agree
participate in educational forum, and about 21.2 % are neutral about [Link] social media is enhancing their
skill and abilities(fig.4).
And about 57.6 and 22.7% respectively agree and strongly agree that most of the teachers use social
media in their
fig.6 teaching
Fig.5 method (fig.5)
50
45 180
160
40 140
35 120
100
30
80
25 60
20 40
20
15 0
10 strongly disagree neutral agree strongly
disagree agree
5
0
strongly disagree disagree neutral agree strongly agree
So according to the survey about 43.9% people agree and about 34.8% people strongly agree that Social media has helped to fill
the gap in educational resources between urban and rural areas in Pakistan. While just 6.1% disagreed about [Link] according to
overall survey social media is enhancing the educational activities of Pakistan students
Recommendation
Following measures can be used for the positive impact of social media on education in Pakistan.
•Encourage the development and promotion of educational platforms on social media that are specifically
designed to provide to the needs of students in Pakistan. Collaborate with educators, content creators, and
tech companies to create and endorse reliable educational content.
•Implement digital literacy programs in schools and universities to ensure that students are prepared with
the necessary skills to direct and separate credible information on social media. This will empower them
to make the most of online educational resources.
•Consider integrating social media tools and platforms into the formal education curriculum. This could
involve incorporating social media-based projects, discussions, and collaborative assignments that
enhance students' digital skills while fostering educational engagement
•Provide training programs for educators to effectively utilize social media as a supplementary
educational tool. This should focus on helping teachers integrate technology into their teaching methods
and leverage social media for improved communication and resource sharing
•Encourage the creation and participation in online educational forums by supporting initiatives that
facilitate discussions, knowledge-sharing, and collaborative learning among students. This can be
achieved through partnerships with educational institutions and tech companies
•Invest in improving internet infrastructure and access in rural areas to bridge the digital divide between
urban and rural students. This will ensure that all students, regardless of their location, have equal
opportunities to benefit from online educational resources
•Establish guidelines and regulations for the responsible use of social media in an educational context.
Monitor the quality of educational content available on social media platforms and take necessary actions
to ensure it meets educational standards.
•Encourage ongoing research to evaluate the impact of social media on education in Pakistan. This should
include periodic surveys, studies, and assessments to track changes in perceptions, usage patterns, and
academic performance related to social media.
•Launch public awareness campaigns to inform parents, teachers, and students about the positive potential
of social media in education. Dispel myths and misconceptions while highlighting success stories and best
practices.
•Foster partnerships with the technology industry to develop innovative solutions for educational
purposes on social media. Encourage the development of features and tools that enhance the learning
experience and facilitate collaboration among students.
These recommendations aim to influence the positive aspects of social media in education while
addressing potential challenges through a comprehensive and collaborative approach .
Conclusion
In conclusion, social media in Pakistan has become a double-edged sword for students, offering
unprecedented opportunities for learning and connection, while simultaneously posing challenges to
academic focus and mental health. The recommendations provided aim to strike a balance, leveraging the
positive aspects of social media in education while addressing potential drawbacks. Encouraging the
development of educational platforms, promoting digital literacy, integrating social media into the
curriculum, and supporting online educational forums are among the proposed strategies. The importance
of improving internet infrastructure, establishing guidelines for responsible use, and fostering partnerships
with the technology industry is emphasized. These comprehensive measures seek to create a constructive
and informed environment for the integration of social media into the educational landscape of Pakistan,
ensuring that its potential benefits are harnessed while mitigating its adverse effects.
References
Dr Ali Muhammad Khan (2023). Impact of Social Media on Academic Performance of Students.
International Journal of Educational Research and Reviews, 6(2), 19-26.
Ghulam Mustafa. (2023). The role of social media in education: A study on students’ perception. Journal
of Education and e-Learning Research, 6(2), 154-161.
Malik Rehman. (2022). Use of Social Media in Higher Education: A Case of Pakistani Universities.
Journal of Educational Technology & Society, 23(1), 220-230.
Rabia, M., Nawaz, H., Mubarak, N., & Ali, S. Z. (2019). Impact of Media on Academic Performance of
College Students: A Case Study of Pakistani Government Colleges. Open Journal of Social Sciences, 7, 429-
442.
Yousaf, T., Rabia, M., Shajhan, A., & Liaqat, A. (2019). Impacts of Technology on Youth: A Case Study in
GC Women University Sialkot, Pakistan. Proc. 15th Islamic Countries Conference on Statistical Sciences,
Lahore, Pakistan, December 21-24, 2019, Vol. 34, 169-178.
Harris, A.L. and A. Rea, 2009. Web 2. 0 and virtual world technologies: A growing impact on IS
education. Journal of Information Systems Education, 20(2): 137
Ahmed I and Qazi TF (2011) A look out for academic impacts of Social networking sites (SNSs): A
student based perspective. African Journal of Business Management 5(12): 5022-5031
Strongly Disagree Neutral Agre Strongly
Disagree e agree
I think social media platforms have the 1.5 3 10.6 30.3 54.5
potential to revolutionize education in
Pakistan
I have many concerns about privacy or security 4.5 22.7 25.8 36.4 10.6
while using social media for educational purposes
I use social media for educational 3 10.6 18.2 40.9 27.3
purposes.
Social media enhances collaboration and knowledge 0 3 6.1 62.1 28.8
sharing among students
Social media contributes to the o 6.1 7.2 63.6 22.7
improvement of communication between
students and teachers.
I participate in online educational forums through 1.5 6.1 21.2 57.6 13.6
social media.
Social media helps in update educational 1.5 3 13.5 57.6 24.2
trends and information.
Social media spread misinformation and fake 3 22.7 27.3 34.8 12.1
educational trends.
Teacher use social media into their 1.5 4.5 13.6 57.6 22.7
teaching method.
face distraction and time-wasting challenges while 1.5 16.7 18.2 33.3 30.3
using social media for educational purposes.
Social media has contributed to an 3 21.2 15.2 39.4 21.2
increase in online educational scams in
Pakistan
Social media contributes to promote a culture of 1.5 9.1 12.1 54.5 22.7
continuous learning among students
Social media has helped to fill the gap in educational 1.5 6.1 13.6 43.9 34.8
resources between urban and rural areas in
Pakistan.
The use of social media contributes to increase the 0 4.5 15.2 53 27.3
engagement in educational activities.
