Generation Alpha, children born from 2010 onwards, are growing up in a world where social media is deeply woven into daily life. This influence is having a negative effect on their educational experiences.

One issue is the distraction social media causes in school. Constant notifications and the habit of scrolling through feeds lead to shorter attention spans and not comprehending any form of content, leaving their academic performance to spiral.

While platforms do offer access to educational resources, the huge amount of entertainment can easily distract a child from learning. With all of the misinformation online, it may pose a risk to children’s critical thinking skills. Children may struggle to differentiate between what’s real and what’s fake, which can make it harder for them to understand certain concepts in school.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 44% of students will perform below grade level in 2023, as opposed to 39% in 2022. The reality is that while children are in school, they are not comprehending the information they are learning.

Parents and teachers must recognize these negative impacts and work together to create ideas on how to limit social media use during school hours and promote focused school sessions.