Impacts of Social Media on University Student's Learning in Afghanistan

Purpose: The aim of the research is to determine the positive and negative effects of social media on students' education in order to take advantage of the positive aspects of social media and avoid its negative effects. Methodology: The doctrinal research methodology and descriptive, explanatory, analytical, and comparative research approaches are used in this work. The first part of this research study is entirely based on library sources. The second part is completed based on the materials collected through the questionnaire, in which 193 people participated. Findings: At the culmination of this research, it is evident that students extensively utilize various social media platforms, notably Facebook, WhatsApp, and YouTube. While these platforms offer convenient communication and information-sharing avenues, it is imperative to acknowledge that, regrettably, addiction to social media has been observed to exert a detrimental impact on the academic pursuits of university students. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Drawing upon the framework of social learning theory, which posits that individuals acquire knowledge through facing with lights, it is discernible that social media has yielded constructive outcomes within the realm of education. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that alongside its merits, social media has also engendered adverse effects on students' academic progress. Predominantly, this is attributed to the significant time loss incurred as a result of social media addiction. In light of these findings, we advocate for heightened public awareness regarding the judicious utilization of social media, emphasizing its application within a well-defined and purposeful framework. Such conscientious use can greatly enhance its contribution to educational endeavors.