Published Paper Details:

This study investigates the correlation between social media use and academic performance among students in Jharkhand, a state characterized by significant socio-economic and regional diversity. With the rapid integration of social media into daily life, understanding its impact on education has become crucial. This research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative surveys with qualitative interviews, to explore how different patterns of social media use influence students' academic achievements. The findings reveal a nuanced relationship between social media use and academic performance. On one hand, social media serves as a valuable educational tool, providing access to academic resources, facilitating collaborative learning, and enhancing engagement. On the other hand, excessive use, particularly for non-educational purposes, is associated with lower academic performance due to increased distractions and reduced study time. Socio-economic status plays a significant role in moderating these effects. Students from higher socio-economic backgrounds generally experience fewer negative impacts from social media use due to better access to technology and digital literacy. Conversely, students from lower socio-economic backgrounds face greater challenges, including limited access to digital resources and poorer internet connectivity, which exacerbate the negative effects of social media. Regional variations also impact the relationship between social media and academic performance. Urban students, with more consistent access to technology and higher digital literacy, tend to benefit more from educational uses of social media compared to their rural counterparts, who may struggle with technology access and lower digital skills. The study concludes that while social media has the potential to enhance educational outcomes, its effectiveness is heavily influenced by socio-economic and regional factors. Recommendations include integrating social media into educational practices, providing training on responsible use, and addressing digital inequalities. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies and explore targeted interventions to maximize social media's benefits while mitigating its drawbacks. This research contributes to the understanding of how digital tools impact education and provides actionable insights for educators, policymakers, and researchers aiming to improve academic outcomes through effective social media use.