Unveiling the Challenges and Opportunities of Social Media amongst the Learners in Digital Age

Abstract

Technological advancements has created transformations in all spheres of life and it has become an indispensable element of human beings locally as well as globally. Social Media is a digital technology that uses websites and applications by using communication and content sharing. It is considered as one of fastest and speediest modes of communication today’s competitive world amongst the students. It is inevitable to explore the challenges and opportunities of social media amongst the learners in order to enhance the e-learning opportunities and digital literacy. It is apparent that social media has been used as well as misused by the students in educational realm. It has tremendously influenced on the mental and intellectual abilities possessed by the learners. This research work consists of questionnaire-based interaction with students, teachers and counsellors belonging to different educational institutions in Panvel and its vicinity. The total respondents included in the research were 2411 of different age group from Degree Colleges and Higher Secondary Schools. Therefore, it is found that there is a complex impact as of social media on youths with a varied perspective. Social media has performed as a revolutionized technological missile by developing the effective communication and social relationships. It is also regarded as double-edged weapon with horrendous consequences amongst the users. It essential to utilize social media for academic development and inculcation of values of good digital citizenship amongst the learners in this 21^st century. This is research paper is an attempt to investigate prominent challenges and opportunities of social media amongst the learners in digital world.