Scrolling Away Imagination: How Social Media is Replacing the Love of Learning
By Avni Mishra
Hours of endless scrolling, 10-60 second videos have consumed the entire nation, specifically the new generation. Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, kids became overly reliant on social media as their main source of entertainment. Online schools gave students freedom they did not have in real life. Without a teacher monitoring them, they had access to their phones 24/7 with no repercussions. Ultimately this led to around 38% of kids ages 8-12 using social media nowadays, a striking comparison to the 65% of kids using it today. Instead of fostering a love for learning, kids have developed a love for social media.
As a child I used to get lost in books like Rainbow Magic and Land of Stories for hours. I felt like the characters were my bestfriends and I was adventuring alongside with them. These books, despite being light and easy reads, taught me life lessons that I still value today. Yet, as a teenager I spend more time on social media than books. Even so, I still remember the characters from my childhood. It is difficult to imagine a world were these kids grow up without these memories— where instead of recalling fantastical places and beloved characters, they think about influencers and viral trends.
The rise of social media has had an evident impact on literacy. Only 67% of 8th graders are currently reading at the expected literacy level. The low percentage is concerning for the future— reading and writing are fundamental to any profession and it is crucial that one is proficient in them to succeed. Short-form media has significantly reduced students’ attention spans, leaving them with no patience to complete even simple homework assignments. Thus, children have started relying on AI like ChatGPT to complete work. With the trajectory of this trend, fields that require a human creativity—particularly the humanities— will become obsolete. While AI is extremely advanced, it cannot replicate to the personal touch and creativity of human writing. It is essential that students break habits of using AI and begin valuing their own unique abilities.
The question remains: how do we rekindle a love for learning? When I was in elementary school, every Wednesday, I got an assignment where I had to write my own short story. Although this assignment took the longest to complete, it was my favorite because I got to showcase my creative side. Now a days, kids are used to viewing others’ creativity on social media instead of fostering their own. I think the solution to this problem begins at school. Especially in elementary school, teachers should design assignments that spark curiostiy and draw in students. The classroom should be a place where students have the liberty to explore their passions without rigid constraints. Once children find what they are passionate about, the journey from social media consumption to literacy will become much easier and more meaningful.
