What challenges did you overcome throughout this inquiry project? How did you go about overcoming these challenges?
One challenge that I have faced during this project was finding reliable sources and information, as there was a lot of opinion-based information roaming within the articles. I overcame this challenge by using the CRAAP method, which is a 5-step process to double-check whether your site is reputable. This process helped me make my research information true, reliable, and not opinion-based. Another challenge I faced was arranging all my research and fitting it into one response. I had a difficult time choosing what information to include, as I didn’t know what information I should include. I overcame this challenge by organizing my research into sections, focusing on the key facts of each section, and removing the information that was repetitive or unnecessary.
How did this inquiry change the way I think?
Before my research, I knew social media could be distracting, but I did not realize how many features such as notifications, infinite scrolling, FOMO, and algorithm-driven feeds could affect students’ focus, motivation, sleep, work habits, and academic performances. This inquiry changed the way I think about social media because I now understand that it can affect students much more than just the amount of time they spend on it online. As it can also have a significant influence on their daily habits and success in school.
How did this investigation impact your future decisions?
Researching this topic made me more aware of how social media can impact one’s mental health and academic success. It helped me understand the downsides that social media can have on an individual, and because of this, in the future, I will try to keep my phone away while studying or completing schoolwork so that I do not get distracted by constant notifications and other social media features.
What impact will this investigation have on others locally and/or globally?
This investigation can help others become more aware of how social media affects students’ work habits and academic performances. It may encourage students to develop more responsible habits and become more productive. Furthermore, it can also help raise awareness about the effects that social media can have to younger individuals, encouraging them to use these platforms with caution.
Overall, this inquiry project helped me gain a deeper understanding of how social media can influence students’ work habits and academic performances. Throughout my research, I learned that many social media features can affect focus, motivation, productivity, and learning in ways that many students may not realize. At the end, I found this project very enjoyable to complete, as social media use is a relatable and common issue.
Thank you for reading!!!