The 'media' part refers to an instrument of communication, like the internet (while TV, radio, and newspapers are examples of more traditional forms of media).

Social media are web-based communication tools that enable people to interact with each other by sharing and consuming information.

The biggest advantage of social media is better communication. A student can connect with anyone at any point in time via Kids Messenger or WhatsApp. They can use such platforms via their smartphone, tablet or computer, and learners can exchange questions, make phone calls or video calls. If a student is stuck with their homework, they can always communicate with their friends or tutors. They don’t need to wait and meet the teacher physically. Social media promote learning by offering support with sharing documents as well such as via Google Drive Box, Google Docs. Some teachers even connect with their class via Facebook live, as this American teacher does by reading bedtime stories to her students every evening.

2. Finding Concrete Information Online

Various websites and social media networks are providing plenty of information that can be helpful to students. Via social media news feeds, students can find informational and relevant websites they want to follow so as to be kept in the loop. Depending on their interests, students can find answers to their questions. Sites, such as Tumblr and Pinterest, can offer children inspirations for school projects or practical problem-solving.

The educational benefits of social networking sites are also those that help students prepare for important lessons and learn certain concepts with great efficacy. Social media websites will contain the latest data on various school subjects and thus, the students have the opportunity to survey and look into what is new. Social media is a Wikipedia for students these days. We are witnessing an era of social media learning.

3. Parental Involvement

Social media help the parents stay involved in the child’s learning. Via the school’s Twitter or Facebook feed parents can be updated on school-related activities, projects, and events that are happening. The school teachers can get in touch with the parents in case they want to share the child's progress via Skype or other secure online platforms the institution uses. A social network for parents can be created too via WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger, which can enable them to be informed about school matters, learning, and education.

These are all positive impacts social media have on parents' communication with the school so as to learn about, share and observe their children's' academic and personal progress at school. This again is a positive impact social media have on students' performance as their parents can offer better informed academic support at home.

4. Improved Literacy, Communication, And Reading Skills

It is usually observed that students are bored of reading and writing, however, the internet and social media provide plenty of online information which often students are more inclined to read, especially if these pieces of information include eye-catching animations. Online messages, comments, news, articles, and books provide an endless list of information to be read, and students are motivated to devote their time and put some extra efforts towards their learning.

Such online activities contribute to the child's general learning, and kids eventually develop stronger reading habits resulting in a drastic improvement in their writing abilities. Social media sites are in the most part interactive and this definitely keeps the student involved.

5. Distance Learning Opportunities

Another great advantage of social media in education is distance learning opportunities. There are many disadvantaged students who are not able to acquire formal education by attending regular classes in an educational institution. With the help of various online tools along with social media, modern educators are able to attract students through distance learning programs. Soon, this will be an inseparable part of our modern education system. Today, hosting live lectures via Skype or webinars via WebinarJam is the way forward to allowing students who live in remote areas of the world to access education

True to form most people who use social media spend hours upon hours scrolling through other people’s posts. Just the way the creators meant it to be. Since they are busy navigating their newsfeeds, students barely have time to tend to their assignments and study. In extreme cases - which are many in this day and age - sleep deprivation is common from children being on their smartphones most nights. As a result, they can barely pay attention in class from a lack of sleep.

Also worthy of note is that social media technology is quite addictive due to the incorporation of mechanisms that enhance their use. For most people, it is not something that they can just stop using. If you are going to try and control a child’s use of the social media platforms, be aware of this so that any resistance does not end up surprising you.

 - Active  usage of  SNSs  will  evolve  into  a 

learning  tool  for  students  that  may  speed  up  the 

learning  cycle,  especially  in  the  case  of  language 

learning.
- The  direct  response  from 

the  students  that  were  involved  is  that  despite  some 

technology  hurdles,  online  classes  lead  to  deeper 

understanding of the materials
- Learning through  Facebook 

can  help  students  to  engage  actively  in  the  learning 

process, while eliminating the traditional lessons taught 

through  presentation  materials. 
-  Facebook  usage  in  education  introduces 

comprehensive  learning  that  benefits both  the  students 

and  teachers.  It  was also  found that  students  are  more 

serious  toward  online  materials  as  opposed  to 

conventional  materials.
-  SNSs  are  also 

useful  in  increasing  students’  motivation  and 

engagement. Hoffman (2009) stated that adapting SNSs 

as  a  learning  tool  provides  a  supportive  environment 

and  contributes  positively  on  students  engagement, 

motivation  and  interaction.

Students social  skills improvement with SNSs
-  Facebook utilization  as students’  learning  tool 

leads  to  psychological  well-being  psychologicaland 

provide  benefits  for students  with  low self-esteem  and 

low  levels  of  self-satisfaction.
- The  SNSs  are  also  beneficial  in  building  healthy 

relationships  between  students  and  teachers,  which  is 

necessary  in  any  learning  environment.  According  to 

Sturgeon  and Walker  (2009),  Facebook  leads  to  better 

communication,  resulting  in  increased  engagement 

between  them  and  better  learning  environment.

Disadvantages  of  SNSs  for  academic  purpose
- Firstly,  the 

major  problem  is  the abuse  of SNSs,  where  it  will  be 

used for social  reasons rather  than  educational ones by 

students. According to the study conducted by Grosseck  (2011),  majority of  students spend  long  hours  in 

SNSs,  Facebook  in  particular,  for  social  reasons.
- threat  towards 

students’  privacy  by  using  SNSs  as  a  learning  tool. 

According to Griffith and Liyanage (2008), trust, safety 

and privacy are the  major  issues related  to  the usage of 

SNSs  for  students’  learning  and  teaching.