Students Are Tangled in Web of Social Media
Kira Hinton, a UT Tyler communication major, uses her phone to browse social media
during a break in class. Photo by NATALIE HERNANEZ.
By NATALIE HERNANDEZ/Contributor
Social media has become a significant part of daily life for many people. TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat capture the attention of millions.
Kira Hinton, 19-year-old communication student, finds herself constantly drawn to social media.
“I’d say I spend about four to five hours on social media daily,” Hinton said. “It’s a mix of breaks between classes, scrolling before bed, and occasionally during study sessions when I just need a mental escape.”
Her experience isn’t unusual among young adults growing up in the age of social media.
HOURS ON SOCIAL MEDIA DAILY
Hinton’s heavy social media use reflects findings from the American Psychological Association that indicates that teenagers are spending nearly five hours a day on YouTube, TikTok and Instagram.
While the study mostly focuses on adolescents and teenagers, its insights are relevant to college students, who have grown up in the same digital environment. The report highlights concerns about the connection between heavy social media use and mental health. It notes that heavy users are more likely to rate their well-being as poor compared to their peers who spend less time online.
Angela Fosuhene-Apenteng, a senior health science student, describes a different but relatable experience with social media.
“Recently, this semester, I’ve been really busy, so maybe only 1-to-2 hours (of social media use). But, on the weekends, when I’m more free, I can spend a couple of hours—maybe four or five hours,” she said.
Fosuhene-Apenteng uses TikTok more than other apps.
“Most of the time, I’m just scrolling and watching videos or on Twitter, just looking at funny posts and seeing what’s trending,” she said.
Listen to a UT Tyler student discuss her social media use.
SOCIAL MEDIA AND MENTAL HEALTH
Fosuhene-Apenteng has mixed feelings about how social media impacts her mental health.
“For the most part, it helps me destress,” she said. “But when I’m seeing controversial topics or discourse, it does stress me out. At that point, I just put my phone down and do something else.”
She also observes a difference between how teenagers and college students engage with social media.
“I think there are some similarities, especially when we’re talking about Gen Z, because we all grew up in that technology era. But as we’re becoming adults, we don’t let it impact our lives as much,” she said.
Social media use is even more extensive for other students.
Ckia Morrison, nursing education student, admits to spending around six hours a day on social media. She doesn’t see spending a lot of time on social media as an issue of concern.
“I have self-control and know when to get off,” Morrison said. “It’s never been a problem for me.”
Though she acknowledges that social media sometimes interferes with her schoolwork.
“If I don’t pay attention to time, yes, it can get in the way,” she said.
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