Social Media's Effect on Academic Performance

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The increase of dependence on technology for communication is of vital importance to the young generations of today. Individuals born in the late 1980’s, the 1990’s, and the early 2000’s spend countless amounts of time using technology for communication, entertainment, and for fun. Some may even have a full time job, but still find time to engage in social media. These people are masterful in multitasking, electronic communication, and are usually the first to adjust and adapt to new technologies. They thrive on social networks such as Facebook, Instagram, Vine, and Second life. They text more on their phone then they talk, and many do not know how to use a camera that is not attached to their phone. They Twitter all their thoughts and often sleep with their cell phones within reach.
There is a common assumption that these groups are capable of taking these new multi-tasking challenges and using them in learning environments to further their education. Yet, this study aims to identify how these groups’ interactions with social media impact other aspects of their lives. According to Marketingcharts.com, a website solely dedicated to statistics and backed by the Watershed Publishing Company, “college students spend about 12 hours a day with media and other gadgets” (“College Students,” 2012). That means in half of a 24-hour day a college student is typically either on the internet or using some form of technology. Simple math dictates that this leaves less time for academic pursuits. The theory that the more time spent with social media and technology, the less time spent in the pursuit of academics can slowly be formed at this point. On the other hand, perhaps the use of new technology and social media has assisted in the pursuits...

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