Be wary of social media during holidays

SCHOOL holidays are meant to be a period of rest and recuperation for learners, away from the hectic classrooms.

However, social media, which has become a staple in the lives of many people across the globe, can potentially disrupt the whole purpose of having time off school.

Social media is now ingrained in the lives of young people, and even adults. Its impact on schoolchildren is of major concern.

While online platforms have benefits such as staying connected with friends and family, as well as accessing a lot of information, they also pose a threat to a learner’s well-being. These negative effects can hinder a learner’s ability to fully enjoy the school holidays.

One of the main drawbacks of social media is that it puts pressure on learners to constantly stay connected and engaged online, mostly for unproductive reasons.

With the prevalence of social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and Snapchat, learners feel obliged to check their social handles and update their profiles often.

Learners can be so consumed by social media that they may neglect important tasks, finding it difficult to focus on their holiday work or assignments.

Procrastination and poor time management can certainly affect academic performance.

Similarly, spending long hours on social media can lead to a sedentary lifestyle. It contributes to unhealthy habits. For instance, learners may stay up late scrolling through their feeds, disturbing their sleeping patterns. That will affect their concentration and cognitive function during the day.

In some instances, learners can become uneasy and develop a sense of inadequacy if they are not as active as their peers on social media.

Feelings of loneliness, jealousy and low self-esteem also grip these learners when they compare themselves to others and strive for unattainable standards set by the influencers and celebrities they follow.

The constant pressure to appear perfect and keep up with latest trends on social media can cause learners to become overly self-critical. Under these circumstances, they can be tempted to carelessly share regrettable posts that could go viral and worsen the situation as they seek unnecessary validation.

Cyber bullying or online harassment is another potential challenge.

With more free time on their hands, learners may be more likely to engage in negative or hurtful conduct towards their peers online and this can have serious consequences that the schoolchildren themselves alone cannot handle.

This can create a toxic online environment.

Social media is now a hub of inappropriate content, misinformation and scams, hence users, particularly learners, must be educated on how to report and block any harmful content that may pop up on their screens.

By remaining cautious and informed, users can navigate social media safely and responsibly.

While social media can be a valuable tool for connecting with others and sharing experiences, it is important for learners to be mindful of its negative effects during school holidays.

To combat social media threats and challenges, learners must be monitored and regulated on social media usage. This can be done by responsible adults at home.

Learners themselves can set boundaries, limit screen time and prioritise real-life interactions and self-care, to overcome the challenges posed by social media. This can help them to make the best out of their well-deserved break from school.

◆ Gabriel Manyeruke is an author and a Geography teacher at Wise Owl High School in Marondera. Contact details: 0774122288, E-mail: manyeruke4@gmail.com