THE USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA BY CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE AND ITS IMPACTS ON LEARNING

Abstract

This study addresses the use of social media by children and young people and its impacts on learning, seeking to understand how these platforms, which are widely present in everyday life, influence academic performance, concentration, socialization, and knowledge construction. It is based on the recognition that social media can both facilitate access to information and new forms of pedagogical interaction and lead to distraction, cognitive superficiality, and difficulty focusing on studies. The general objective of this study is to analyze the positive and negative effects of social media use on the learning process of children and adolescents, discussing how conscious or excessive use interferes with the school environment and educational practices. This is a literature review based on books, scientific articles, official documents, and academic works addressing technology, education, child and adolescent development, and digital culture. Based on this survey, different authors who examine the relationship between social media and education are selected, compared, and discussed. It is concluded that social media, when used in a guided and critical manner, can support the teaching-learning process by expanding teaching resources, motivation, and collaboration among students. However, unregulated use without family and school supervision tends to impair concentration, academic performance, and the development of more complex cognitive skills. This highlights the importance of pedagogical mediation, ethical guidance, and the development of healthy digital habits so that children and young people can use social media in a balanced and educational manner.