SCROLLING OR STUDYING? HOW SOCIAL MEDIA AFFECTS THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF 11–12-YEAR-OLD LEARNERS

SCROLLING OR STUDYING? HOW SOCIAL MEDIA AFFECTS THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF 11–12-YEAR-OLD LEARNERS Maxmudova Mashxuraxon Muhammadzokir qizi Student of Namangan State Institute of Foreign Languages named after Is’hoqxon Ibrat E-mail: [email protected] Scientific adviser: Abdusattorova Maxarram Sharifjon qizi E-mail: [email protected] https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20106944 Abstract: This study explores how social media affects the academic behavior of 11–12-year-old students. The findings show that students use their phones in a mostly balanced way for communication, entertainment, and sometimes learning. However, using phones during homework can reduce concentration, even if students do not always notice it. Overall, social media is neither fully harmful nor fully beneficial; its impact depends on how consciously students use it. Keywords: social media, academic performance, young learners, attention, phone use, learning habits, distraction.