The Impact of Social Media on Nigerian High School Education: Benefits and Risks
Social media has become an integral part of our daily lives, and its influence has extended to the education sector.
Nigerian high school students are included in this, as they utilize social media platforms for various purposes.
While social media has brought numerous benefits to Nigerian high school education, it also poses risks and challenges that must be addressed.
In this article, we will examine the impact of social media on Nigerian high school education, discussing its benefits, risks, and how these risks can be minimized.
Benefits of Social Media on Nigerian High School Education
Social media has transformed Nigerian high school education positively.
Here are some of the specific benefits:
1. Improves Student-Teacher Communication and Collaboration
Social media improves student-teacher interaction outside the traditional classroom environment.
Students can chat with their teachers, ask questions about an assignment, receive immediate responses, and stay updated on the latest educational developments.
Social media also enables teachers to create online forums, groups, and discussions groups about specific subjects, which allow students to collaborate on projects, share ideas, and help each other out.
2. Enhances Collaborative Learning
Collaborative learning is an essential part of education. Social media makes it easy for students to work together, share study materials, and solve problems collaboratively.
Platforms such as Google Drive and Dropbox facilitate the sharing of documents and files, which promotes collaboration and learning.
3. Enables Easier Access to Educational Resources
Social media has made accessing educational resources easier than ever before. Students can access study materials, educational videos, and other learning resources with a single click.
Educational websites such as Khan Academy, Coursera, and Ted Talks, and blogs such as Educação in Foco, provide students with relevant and up-to-date information for their coursework.
4. Facilitates Self-Paced Learning
Social media aids in self-paced learning, allowing students to study at their desired pace.
Students can interact with educational content online, replay videos or audios as they take notes at their convenience, and revisit when required.
This learning environment helps students complete assignments and improve their self-discipline.
5. Enables Increased Parental Involvement in Children’s Learning
Parents can interact with teachers, stay informed on their children’s academic progress, and provide feedback on educational activities through social media.
Parents can actively participate in discussions on Facebook, WhatsApp, or other social media platforms.
Risks Posed by Social Media to Nigerian High School Education
Aside from the benefits, social media also poses several risks to Nigerian high school education.
Here are some of the major challenges:
1. Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying involves using social media platforms to harass, abuse, or threaten other students.
Unfortunately, many Nigerian students have been victims of cyberbullying, leading to low grades, poor academic performance, and even depression if left unchecked.
2. Distractions
Social media is notoriously distracting, and Nigerian high school students are no different.
With the constant buzz of notifications and updates, students are often tempted to check their phones rather than focus on their studies, which affects their grades and overall academic performance.
3. Information Overload
Social media also overloads students with information. It’s difficult to identify trustworthy sources of information online, leading to information overload and giving students an additional burden.
4. Exposure to Inappropriate Content
Nigerian high school students on social media may be exposed to inappropriate material. This exposure can lead to the adoption of undesirable behaviours, and influence their academic performance negatively.
Minimizing Risks and Challenges of Social Media
To minimize the risks associated with social media in Nigerian high school education,
the following measures can be put in place:
1. Education and Awareness
With proper education and awareness, both students and teachers can be enlightened about the potential dangers of social media, including privacy breaches, cyberbullying, and inappropriate content.
This education can be achieved through seminars, workshops, and online training sessions.
2. Regulation of Social Media Use during Class Hours
Schools must regulate the use of social media platforms during class hours. Some schools have implemented policies that restrict the use of social media platforms during instructional hours.
These policies promote better concentration and focus during learning activities.
3. Monitoring of Social Media Platforms
Teachers and parents should monitor social media activities, especially of students, and report any suspicious activities.
Parents and teachers could use monitoring apps, controlled access to social media, and other parental control measures, to minimize risks to the students’ academic performance and ensure their welfare.
4. Creation of Safe Online Environment
Finally, the creation of a safe online environment is essential. Schools and educational institutions must establish well-defined protocols and guidelines that promote responsible social media usage, regulate interactions between students, and by extension, promote learning and collaboration, rather than negativity and hostility.
