Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC), on 3rd Oct 2024 hosted an enlightening aired and physical interactive session, bringing together students and teachers to explore the profound impact of social media on students’ lives.

This thought-provoking discussion shed light on the dual nature of social media, highlighting both its benefits and drawbacks on academic performance, mental health, and social relationships.

The session kicked off with concerns about social media’s potential to distract students from their studies, leading to addiction and decreased productivity. The participants also delved into the pressing issues of cyberbullying and online safety, emphasizing the need for students to be aware of online security, privacy, and harassment risks. Moreover, the discussion touched on information overload, stressing the importance of distinguishing credible sources from misinformation.

The conversation also explored how social media affects students’ mental health, particularly through social comparison and curated online profiles that can erode self-esteem. However, the session also highlighted social media’s potential as a valuable tool for learning, providing access to educational resources, collaboration opportunities, and networking.

To address these challenges, the session yielded key recommendations. These included encouraging responsible social media use by setting boundaries, prioritizing academic tasks, integrating digital literacy into school curricula, and increasing parental involvement in monitoring and guiding social media usage. Additionally, developing guidelines for social media use in educational settings was emphasized.