Jayakumar B Introduction
Social media connects people worldwide, gaining significant momentum due to widespread smartphone use. Almost everyone has a social media account, with students also extensively engaged. Despite time-wasting perceptions, social media offers substantial benefits. Now letโs read the top 5 benefits of social media for students in this blog.
Before jumping into the benefits of social media, let us try to understand it better. There are different types of social media that exist today:
- Social Networking (Facebook, Linked-In)
- Micro blogging (Twitter, Threads)
- Photo Sharing (Instagram, Snapchat, Pinterest)
- Video Sharing (YouTube, Facebook-live, Periscope)
Combining all of them together, social media has gained a lot of importance because of the drastic increase in the number of users. As we can see (ref โ statistics below) that there are 2.35 billion active monthly users on Instagram alone. Thanks to their age group and easy access, various social media sites are accessing them. According to one of the recent report from Forbes, percentage of students who use each platform goes as follows:
Top 5 Benefits of Social Media
Examining the advantages of social media for students reveals its paramount importance. As you can see, social media has revolutionized the way we connect and interact with one another. From fostering communication to promoting creativity and facilitating global connectivity, social media has become an indispensable tool for personal and professional growth.
Now it’s time for us to jump into the top five benefits of social media for students, according to us.
1. Learning & Networking
The first of top 5 benefits of social media for students is Learning and Networking. Learning has gone beyond class-rooms where social learning is promoted in almost all the leading e-learning websites. Students can take classes from e-learning websites and discuss their learning or doubts using various social media channels.
For Example NPTEL, Udemy, YouTube, etc. Students can make use of live video that is a part of so many social networking sites to engage themselves in classes. Students can share study materials through social networking sites like Facebook, Instagram and even Whats App.
In the realm of social learning, understanding the benefits and importance of social media for students is crucial. It becomes exceedingly important for students to stay connected to their peers in this process. Through social media, students can forge connections not only with their immediate friends but also with friends of friends, thereby building a robust network. Peer-to-peer networking plays a pivotal role in enhancing online engagement and fortifying the learning experience.
Moreover, one of the significant advantages of social media lies in its ability to acquaint students with renowned personalities, a feat that was once arduous prior to the digital age. Examples of such noteworthy figures can be found on platforms like Instagram, where individuals like Selena Gomez, Cristiano Ronaldo, Beyoncรฉ, Kylie Jenner, Kim Kardashian West, and more have gained immense popularity.
Cristiano Ronaldo, renowned for his exceptional football skills and charismatic presence, has garnered a global fanbase through his social media presence. He has shared insights into his rigorous training routines, inspiring countless others to strive for their goals. Additionally, Ronaldo’s active involvement in charitable endeavors has motivated his followers to contribute to meaningful causes, while his positive and motivational posts encourage them to believe in themselves and aim high.
Kylie Jenner’s authentic approach and openness about her personal life have allowed her to connect deeply with her followers. Her makeup brand, Kylie Cosmetics, empowers women to express themselves through makeup, and she strategically leverages Instagram to promote her brand, inspiring young entrepreneurs in the process. Her resilience in the face of challenges serves as a source of motivation for her followers, urging them to overcome obstacles and grow.”
Professional Networking has evolved significantly with the rise of social media platforms like LinkedIn, Meetup, and other current trending apps. Social media platforms offer a multitude of benefits, especially for professionals looking to enrich their careers. These platforms have evolved into indispensable tools for expanding one’s network, discovering job opportunities, and elevating career prospects.
Among them, LinkedIn stands out as the premier professional networking platform, empowering users to prominently display their skills, connect with kindred spirits, and cultivate meaningful relationships with potential employers or clients. In contrast, Meetup specializes in fostering face-to-face networking experiences by convening professionals who share common interests at various events and gatherings.
2. For Creative Expression
Social media offers numerous benefits, making it especially advantageous for students. Creative expression stands out as one of the paramount benefits of social media. With an array of multimedia tools and platforms at their disposal, individuals can unleash their creativity and share their unique perspectives with the world.
One of the advantages of social media for students is that it provides a beautiful platform for them to express themselves. Students can utilize various mediums such as photos, blogs, articles, videos, and audio clips to articulate their thoughts and ideas. The introduction of Instagram Reels and TikTok Videos has taken video creation to new heights, becoming a super hit among the student community due to their small and crisp format.
Moreover, social media plays a vital role in encouraging students to explore their talents and think outside the box. It helps in identifying students’ talents and provides them with opportunities in life, eliminating the need to wait for traditional platforms like TV shows to showcase their abilities.
In fact, many students have harnessed the importance of social media by creating their own YouTube channels, offering them not only a great platform for self-expression but also the potential to build a career out of it. The advantages of social media for students are undeniably significant in fostering creativity, personal growth, and future opportunities.
3. Experience Global Exposure
Social media is such a broad platform that students can connect with anyone in the world. When it allows students to interact with people on such a broad platform, indeed they get immense knowledge from it, which is amazing, isnโt it ?
They even get to know about the diverse cultures present around the world. That includes their culture, traditions, language, lifestyle, food habits, and many more interestingly beautiful things. They can even learn about the different courses present in universities from all around the world. Some of the universities who provide free resources and courses
Which benefit students from all around the world are :
- Harvard University : Harvard University offers over 600 free online courses and enables you to get a taste of an Ivy League education for free.
- University of California : The University of California, Irvine offers a variety of courses on a wide range of subjects.
- Georgia Institute of Technology : Georgia Institute of Technology has been offering online courses since 2012. Since then, 3.3 million people have enjoyed these world-class courses, in a wide range of topics.
- Michigan State University : One of the largest universities in the United States, Michigan State University offers a selection of online courses.
One of the advantages of social media for students is the ability to access recorded classroom sessions for specific courses, often accompanied by comprehensive notes. This educational resource not only enhances their learning experience but also provides valuable study materials.
Furthermore, social media platforms empower students to share their ideas and thoughts on a global scale, contributing to the benefits of social media. These platforms offer individuals a unique identity and recognition, even at a young age, which is truly remarkable. This recognition on social media plays a pivotal role in bridging the digital divide, emphasizing the importance of social media as a tool for inclusivity and connectivity among students.
4. Employment Opportunities
As we all know, the Industry-Academia academia gap is one of the major issues students are facing nowadays. In Spite of a student finishing his/her degree itโs very difficult for them to get a job. Social media helps them to grab opportunities.
Many companies update about Internships & Job openings in their social media accounts. Students following these companies on social media can apply by sending them their resumes. LinkedIn is one such social media platform where students apply for internships and jobs extensively.
From Emertxe we have been working to contribute to this gap by offering Free Online Internship Programs in Embedded Systems and Internet-Of-Things (IoT). By making the internship hands-on and project driven we are able to reach 25000+ students from 70+ countries, which is the testimony of the power of social and digital platforms.
Social media offers numerous benefits and advantages for students, one of which is facilitating research about companies and various fields of interest. Students can access a wealth of information, including reviews and comments posted by others, to gain a comprehensive understanding of a company.
Moreover, the importance of social media lies in its role in displaying ratings provided by users. Students can easily view and assess the authenticity of ratings for specific companies on social media platforms. This not only aids in making informed decisions but also enhances their visibility.
Additionally, students can proactively establish their presence on social media by confidently expressing their opinions and fostering positive relationships. This visibility provides an opportunity for students to showcase their talents and expertise, further underscoring the advantages of social media for students in today’s interconnected world.
5. Social Media Marketing
Letโs talk about social media marketing, in our focus of top 5 benefits of social media for students. Students can promote any college festivals or activities using social media. Every college has a cultural fest every year. Students will have to promote their fest to ensure students from other colleges also participate. Hence, social media helps students to promote on a big platform.
We can even have campus ambassador programs, where a student from each college represents the brand and promotes the brand via social media. Infact, At Emertxe, we offer an exciting one-month Campus Ambassador Program designed to empower students with marketing skills and promote our brand in their colleges.
As part of the program, selected students collaborate with us, representing our brand online and engaging with their college communities. In return, they receive a stipend based on their performance, along with free goodies and a certificate upon completion.
Moreover, the top-performing ambassadors may even have the opportunity to work with us and receive a job offer. Such opportunities are made possible thanks to Social media and its reach among students.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the importance of social media in shaping our communication landscape cannot be overstated. Its pervasive influence has fundamentally transformed the way we connect, interact, and express ourselves. Throughout this article, we’ve delved into the numerous advantages and benefits of social media, particularly from a student’s perspective.
Social media serves as a multifaceted platform that significantly enhances learning, facilitates networking, and provides a powerful outlet for creative expression. Its global reach, coupled with its capacity to unlock employment opportunities and drive the engines of social media marketing, further emphasizes its indispensability in the modern world.
However, it’s crucial to note that the benefits we’ve discussed here are just the tip of the iceberg. As these platforms continue to evolve, incorporating cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, students will find themselves immersed in a world of even greater potential. These advancements hold the promise of inspiring and empowering students, fostering comprehensive growth and shaping them into well-rounded global citizens.
By embracing the opportunities presented by social media, students are not merely adapting to change but embracing a dynamic force that propels them toward a future where connections transcend borders, opportunities are limitless, and personal and professional growth knows no bounds. Looking ahead, it’s evident that social media will remain an essential companion on the educational journey, facilitating self-discovery, and fostering achievement for students.
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