Social media usage between students, and their parents, continues to grow. 

According to the Pew Research Center, the most widely used online platforms are YouTube and Facebook. However, half of the adults in the United States use Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), and Snapchat. Between 2012 and 2024, the percentage of adults who use these apps increased.

In 2012, Instagram had a nine percent user rate and is now sitting at 50 percent as of June 2024. Following behind, Twitter went from 13 percent to 21 percent. X (formerly Twitter) started at 13 percent and is now at 21 percent. LinkedIn grew from 16 percent to 32 percent. Facebook started high at 54 percent and continued to grow to 70 percent.

Fast forward to 2018, a count for YouTube, TikTok, and Snapchat began. YouTube started with a 73 percent user rate and has now passed Facebook at 85 percent. Snapchat started at 27 percent and is still the same currently. Behind the two, Tiktok started at 21 percent and settled at 33 percent.

Over the years, it has infiltrated society’s lives in a way that few could have ever seen coming.

Especially within the college community.

Senior Fernando Paulino talked about the impact social media has had in his life.

Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube have played a part as being another way of happiness in his routine through dances, jokes, trends, etc.  Academically, it had a positive influence as well.

“I think social media had benefited my academic career when it comes to being able to communicate with classmates and giving them my opinion on work we do in class,” Fernando stated.

According to the Pew Research Center, the ages between 18 and 29 use the following apps; 68 percent are on Facebook, 76 percent are on Instagram, 40 percent are on LinkedIn, 38 percent on X (formerly Twitter), 65 percent are on Snapchat, 59 percent are on TikTok, and ahead of these platforms 93 percent use YouTube.

Although Paulino feels he was exposed to social media too early, it became important for him to remember that it is not the same as how it was when social media first became prevalent. Now, not only has it been something positive, but social media also has been a factor in his life that brought some negativity as well.

“Social media has changed the way I look at myself at times. My brain will begin to believe certain ideas from others. Some videos give me self-doubt on things I can or can’t do,” said Paulino. “It can be with people labeling people into categories which I tend to fall and people and limit myself into these categories.”

Social media causing people to compare themselves and their lifestyles to others has been a common occurrence within the college community.

Junior Ayvia Vazquez and Yeslie G.Rodriguez shared their experiences with platforms.

“As a kid, I used to use social media to compare myself with other people. Now that I’ve grown to have a high level of self-appreciation, I am able to recognize that there is no reason to compare because everyone is different.” Vazquez stated.

Rodriguez followed with “Mostly because some people feel pressured to have their social media to make it look like their life is perfect when it’s sometimes not.”

But with negatives, always comes a positive. Social media serves as an outlet for them to quickly reach out to people they don’t normally see, keep conversations light with memes, learn new information, and allows more awareness to be brought to situations that deserve more attention.

For a lot of college students, using social media in a professional way has become another tool in their toolbox when it comes to their academic and future careers.

Miguel Santos, a business administration major with a focus on marketing, and Vazquez took time to further expand on this.

“I find out a lot of information on these platforms. You can hear people’s testimonials on what college life is like and it helps you reduce stress. Social media can also provide study tips that individuals use. Since I’m in marketing, it’s an important skill to know how to use.” 

“If I plan to open my veterinary practice, I will use social media to create more awareness for the practice and use it as an educational platform for aspiring veterinarians,” Vazquez continued.

One group of students who have been particularly impacted by social media are the athletes.

Mercy Baseball players Sean McAdams and Matthew Manzoeillo, say social media got them into college to play baseball through recruiting and exposed them to coaches and opportunity. 

One athlete who has been greatly impacted by social media throughout both his academic and athletic career is sophomore Zein Wahdan, a forward on Mercy’s Men’s Basketball team. He is majoring in Business with a focus in marketing. With the exposure he has as a student-athlete from social media, he was able to secure a scholarship to pursue basketball and education at the university level. It played a crucial role in his recruitment to the U.S. from Egypt.

Wahdan took the time to share his positive experience.

“I’ve grown my Instagram into a business account with 13,000 followers, which has significantly helped with my branding and opportunities. Social media is a key part of modern communication and career growth, so these skills are essential,” Wahdan explained as the platform where he gets the most engagement.

While life was simpler back when social media was less prominent, he believes it has bridged many gaps for him and made creating connections easier. With such a following, Wahdan makes it a point to not let the factors that come with being a public presence get to him.

“Sometimes it can lead to comparisons, which can be discouraging. Social media isn’t real life, and it is important to keep that perspective. I believe social media pressure is manageable. It is important to not let it become overwhelming or take control,” Wahdan explained.

Being a student-athlete brings countless exposure opportunities. Just recently, this month Wahdan had the privilege of taking over the East Coast Conference Instagram account where he got to showcase the day in the life of a student-athlete through nearly 35 pieces of content being posted that show the lifestyle of a student-athlete. From the challenges and overwhelming schedules to the joy and fulfillment that comes with it.

As Wahdan reflected on the experience, he was able to show viewers that there is never a dull moment because he and his team are constantly moving forward and making the most of every hour.

“I believe this takeover was an excellent way to connect with others, showcase the balance required to succeed in academics and athletics, and inspire appreciation for the dedication it takes to be a student-athlete. It was a valuable platform to share my lifestyle, and I’m grateful for the opportunity.”