Social media and technology have now become an integral part of our daily lives. Every adult has an account on one or more of the popular social media platforms, such as Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, WhatsApp, and others. The most pressing question, however, has recently surfaced: 'How does social online networking benefit students?' Can some of the features of social media be implemented in education in such a way that they not only benefit students without fail but also help bridge the new-age learning gap if used safely and appropriately?

Here are some educational methods and benefits of social media in improving student academic performance:

1. Ensure that communication is effective

Better communication is one of the biggest benefits of social media, and a student can connect with anyone at any time via Messenger, WhatsApp, and other messaging apps. They can download these apps to their smartphone, tablet, or computer and use them to learn, share information, and make phone or video calls. If a student is having trouble with his or her studies, they can always communicate with their friends or tutors. Students can interact with their teacher via social media, which is a great platform for promoting learning by providing support with document sharing via apps like Google Drive Box, Google Docs, and others.

2. Parental Involvement

Parents can use social media to stay involved in their children's education by following the school's Twitter or Facebook feeds for updates on school-related activities, projects, and events. Apart from that, school teachers can communicate with parents via Skype or other secure online platforms used by the educational institution if they need to share the child's progress. Using WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger, a separate social network for parents can be created, with both parents and teachers as members. This will allow them to stay informed and up to date on school-related issues, learning, and education. In this case, social media can be used to improve students' performance by giving their parents more access to their academic performance.

3. Opportunities for Distance Learning

Another important advantage of social media in education is the possibility of distance learning, which can benefit thousands of students in the current situation. Many disadvantaged students are unable to obtain a formal education by attending regular classes in an educational institution. Furthermore, as a result of the pandemic's spread, almost all students are forced to remain indoors as educational institutions remain closed. Modern educators, with the help of social media and other unique online tools, are able to not only attract students through distance learning programmes but also maintain an uninterrupted flow of learning.

4. Finding Information on the Internet

Currently, a plethora of websites and social media networks provide students with a wealth of information that can assist them in their studies and research. Students can find informational and appropriate websites that post quality content relevant to current events and recent trends through social media news feeds. The majority of students visit these websites to stay up to date on current events. Students can find answers to their questions on various sites, such as Tumblr and Pinterest, based on their interests and questions.

As a result, social media has grown to become one of the most powerful platforms in history. So much has changed as a result of social media. Previously, people would read the newspaper first thing in the morning, but nowadays, everyone checks their social media accounts for updates. Because of the evolution of social media, people's lifestyles are changing. As a result, almost everyone is addicted to social media in one way or another. Above all, it's a fantastic place to socialise with peers and friends. However, if the same thing is used incorrectly, it can be disastrous.