Exploring the Impact: Social Media Platform Usage and Academic Performance among High School Students in North 24 Parganas District, West Bengal.

In recent years, the prevalence of social media use among high school students has risen dramatically, raising concerns about its potential impact on academic performance. Social media platforms offer unprecedented opportunities for connectivity and information sharing, yet they also pose risks, particularly concerning addiction. This study investigates impact of social media platform usage on academic performance among high school students in North 24 Pargana district. With the increasing prevalence of social media in students' lives, it has become important to understand its impact on educational outcomes. Using a mixed-methods approach, researcher collected quantitative data through a survey measuring students' time spent on various social media platforms, along with their academic performance. The results indicate a negative relationship between time spent on social media platforms and academic performance, particularly among students who reported using the platform for entertainment rather than educational purposes. Differences in effect based on demographic factors including age, sex, and socioeconomic status were also observed. While findings suggest that social media can provide educational benefits, excessive use is often associated with decreased academic engagement and lower performance. This study contributes to the understanding of how patterns of social media use affect academic achievement and highlights the need for targeted interventions to promote balanced media use among high school students. Recommendations for educators and parents are proposed to mitigate the negative effects of social media on academic performance, ultimately creating a more appropriate learning environment.