Top Benefits and Importance of Social Media For Students‍

Initially founded as a tool for socializing, social media has evolved to be an invaluable tool for not only business people but also for students thanks to over 4.62 billion people who actively using it today.

For students, social media helps them to share tips, study material, views, projects, etc. It also helps them exchange useful information for examinations and classes. And this is just the tip of the iceberg.

In this article, Proessaywriting, one of the best essay writing service providers in the UK shares the top benefits and importance of social media for students.

But before that, let’s understand a few things.

What are the Five Types of Social Media?

Generally, there are five types of social media channels that are created for different purposes as below:

• Social networks:

  Social networks, otherwise known as relationship networks are platforms that enable students to connect with others have fun and share photos, ideas, videos, and information. They include Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc.

• Media sharing networks:

  As the name suggests, media sharing networks are platforms that allow students to share live videos, photos, and videos. They also help teachers to share lectures, have live classes with students, etc. They include YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, etc.

• Discussion networks:

  Discussion networks help students to discover useful discussions, and share helpful information, ideas, and opinions. They include Quora, Reddit, etc.

• Interest-based networks:

  Interest-based networks are platforms that connect students with other students with shared interests or hobbies. They include Last.fm, Goodreads, etc.

• Social blogging networks:

  These are types of social media platforms that come with tools that enable students to create and publish content on the internet. They include Tumblr, WordPress, etc.

That said, here are the powerful ways students can use social media.

1. Educational and Networking

Social media is a powerful tool for learning and networking for both college and university students. As people are embracing distance/remote learning, social media developers have introduced e-learning features in almost all popular social networks.

Students can share class lectures, discussions, and useful information through social media platforms.

For instance, students can download study materials from Udemy, YouTube, and other platforms and then share them with other students across various networks like WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. They can also engage themselves in classes using live videos.

In the process of learning, students are also able to connect with other students as well as friends and family which enhances networking.

Students are also able to discover new friends and build new connections.

Through social networking, students can stay updated about useful activities and events happening (or scheduled to happen) around them.

2. Social Media Enhances Students’ Global Exposure

Social media is used around the world. This implies that students can connect with other students and professionals from around the world. It enables them to discover things they wouldn’t have discovered and this helps to obtain useful knowledge.

3. Social Media Helps in Internships and Employment Opportunities

One of the main challenges students are facing today is the academia gap. Think about it. No matter the grade a student gets after graduating, they will still have to struggle to get a good job. Given that most successful companies use social media to find potential candidates, better use of social media can help students get better jobs.

LinkedIn is one of the most powerful social media platforms for professionals where students can connect and follow companies they are interested to work with to stay updated with internships and job openings.

Students are also able to interact with leaders and other staff of the company they are interested to work with which enables them to exchange ideas that could help them land a job.

Social media can also help students to find out more about the company they intend to work with through research.

4. Social Media is a Powerful Tool for Research

Social media contains all sorts of information. Students can obtain useful information and data that could help them in their areas of study as well as in their personal lives.

For instance, students can find other students’ opinions on a certain subject or specific issue. Or they can find other reliable platforms where professors share their knowledge, for example platforms to learn medicine or other fields of your interest.

Students working on projects can use social media to collect helpful information and produce great content for research.

5. Social Media Enhances Awareness

Aside from learning, networking, and research, social media also helps to improve students’ awareness.

For instance, students are exposed to different cultures, religions, etc. This helps them to know that there is more than what they already know out there which enhances their awareness.

6. Improves Reading Skills

For students who don’t like reading text-only content, social media can help to improve their reading skills.

Social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and many others allow users to share eye-catching and entertaining posts in the form of videos and animations which keeps even the laziest students engaged and involved. In the process of watching and reading interactive content, students develop a stronger reading desire which gradually enhances their reading and writing skills.

7. Social Media Helps Students to Express Their Creativity

Social media is an open field where you can share almost anything. That’s why Facebook asks you “what’s on your mind".
For students, this is a great opportunity to express their creativity.

For instance, students can express themselves in many ways like posting audio clips, plain posts, videos, or individual articles. In the process, they explore their talents.

Unlike in the past, students don’t have to wait for opportunities to participate in events or demonstrate their talents. With the help of crowdfunding, students can raise funds to support their creative ideas. They can even showcase their talents by regularly posting reels, stories, and posts of their interest on platforms like Instagram. They can earn free Instagram followers and expand their reach by consistently posting engaging reels and stories.

Tens of thousands of students have created YouTube channels and blogs where they share videos and blog posts which helps them to make money while studying.

8. Social Media Keeps Students Informed and Updated

Unlike in the past when you could wait for the daily newspaper to read the latest news, these days, students can get real-time news as they happen. Yes, in just a few clicks, students can read the latest news from around the world thanks to social media networks like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and others.

9. Social Media Helps Students to Build Supportive Online Communities

Students are now able to share information or their expertise with others and discover new ideas from other students, thanks to online communities that social media has introduced.

Online communities also help to keep alumni, students planning to join a certain college, and staff updated on everything.

10. Social Media Helps Students to Build Social Credibility

Some social media platforms like LinkedIn help students to build their digital portfolios for their careers. Since successful companies and potential employers are always looking on social media for new hires, this helps to connect students with awesome companies as well as making them connect with potential employers.

11. Social Media Enables Parental Involvement

Parent involvement in their students’ studies is very important. Every parent would want to keep track of the progress of their students’ projects, activities, and other school-related events.

Aside from that, parents also want to get in touch with their students’ teachers at all times.
Thankfully, social media has made it easier to do all this.
For instance, with the help of WhatsApp, Skype, Facebook Messenger, and other social media platforms, parents can reach out to teachers and find out more about the progress of their learners.
Parents are also able to keep track of their students’ online activities at all times.

12. Internet Engagements

Most social media platforms allow students to share useful website links, tools, resources, and other useful learning material with other students. This helps to speed up learning and enhances web engagements.

Final Thoughts

Social media has undoubtedly made learning a fun experience. Students have all the tools for learning thanks to platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and many others.

It’s worth noting that, even though social media is beneficial to students, it also comes with its disadvantages. As a student, you should use social media in a way that’s beneficial to your studies.