In today’s digital age, social media plays a significant role in college students’ lives, influencing how they communicate and share information.
While its influence is widely debated, it ultimately depends on how it is used.
According to Concordia University, Nebraska, Gen Z college students use social media more than millennials, averaging about 4.5 hours per day compared to 3.5 hours. This high usage brings both benefits and drawbacks.
Social media helps students stay connected with loved ones, provides a platform for self-expression and creativity and enhances visibility to potential employers. However, it also poses significant challenges, such as distractions, feelings of loneliness and unhealthy comparisons and a permanent digital footprint.
To explore this, four San Diego State University students shared their experiences with social media.
Sydney Suffin
Sydney Suffin, a fourth-year student at SDSU, spends two to three hours per day on social media, primarily in the evening.
Maya Martinez/Photo credit: Janssen Photography
In contrast, fellow fourth-year student Maya Martinez spends between six to 10 hours daily. This difference highlights how varied social media usage can be among students.
Social media’s influence extends beyond personal connections. Celebrities, politicians and influencers often sway opinions. Suffin acknowledges this influence.
“Things that celebrities or politicians say on social media do influence me to an extent,” Suffin said. “I do like to hear others’ opinions that I watch, support or follow and sometimes their opinion can affect me. Something small like their opinion on a product, for example, may influence me.”
Marissa Lee/Photo credit: Nicole Anetipa
On the other hand, fourth-year SDSU student Marissa Lee avoids following celebrities promoting products and has a different approach.
“I try not to follow celebrities on social media mainly because their content doesn’t provide much value, and I feel as though they are always trying to promote different products and other sponsorships,” Lee remarked. “If anything, I am more influenced by smaller lifestyle creators who review various products.”
Balancing social media with academic responsibilities is a common challenge.
Both Suffin and Lee have developed strategies to manage their time. Suffin prioritizes her schoolwork before using social media as a reward, while Lee uses it as a break, making sure to put her phone away when important tasks need to be completed.
Privacy concerns are another significant issue. Martinez expresses worry about personal information being compromised on social media.
“It’s so easy for anyone to look me up and find personal information. If I think about it too hard, it can be really scary,” Martinez said.
Suffin, while less concerned, acknowledged the risks associated with sharing personal data online.
Roman Aguilar/Photo credit: Isabella Biunno
Third-year student Roman Aguilar said he spends less time now consumed with worrying about personal information being stolen on social media.
“I used to worry about any of my personal information being compromised on social sites to a point until I succumbed to the norm of how widely available everyone’s information is. To do as much as you can to censor private information, and find the best way to be secure, also requires you not to be available with people to talk to and know what information is out there.”
Aguilar also believes taking smart steps to lessen chances of personal information being comprised is important.
“Measures I’ve taken to secure my safety and privacy have been encrypting a two-step verification with Duo Mobile,” Aguilar commented. “This way, I have a granted access code allowed only to me when accessing Instagram. I was hacked earlier this summer, and once I managed to get myself back in, I felt I owed it to myself to create better security options to better my social media. I also have a variety of passwords that don’t duplicate and are easy to find. Having an email associated with the account helps as well.”
Martinez highlights the dual nature of social media, explaining that while it offers valuable opportunities for cultural exposure and unique experiences, it also has a darker side.
“There is such an opportunity to be exposed to different cultures and experience things you otherwise would not be able to. But at the same time, social media is so curated that the media you are consuming is so catered towards your thoughts and ideologies that it is a dangerous road one can go down and can pigeonhole someone in their ideas and perspectives,” Martinez said.
For Aguilar, using social media wisely is the key.
“The positive impact of social media is the near-instant news that you can’t get from most other places when not going online. Another positive impact is that communication with friends and people is so effortless, that you can connect with people you wouldn’t before otherwise. Negative downsides would be the constant obsession and validation it takes to keep up with the standards of social media. Needing to post timely within a week of an event, those unspoken rules of Instagram and social media posting.”
Social media offers valuable opportunities for connection, creativity and professional visibility for students but also presents significant risks such as distraction, privacy concerns and mental health impacts. Finding a balance is crucial.
As digital communication continues to evolve, promoting digital literacy and mindful usage will help students navigate these challenges effectively and maintain a healthy relationship with social media.
Top photo credit: Pixabay.com