Justice Scripts

Walk into any university lecture hall or hostel in Ghana, and you’ll see a familiar scene: students glued to their phones, scrolling through Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp, or Twitter. Social media is no longer just entertainment it has become a defining feature of youth life. Yet its influence is complicated, offering both benefits and drawbacks, making it a true double-edged sword.

The Positive Side

Social media can be a powerful tool for learning, networking, and personal growth. Platforms like YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitter provide access to educational resources, career guidance, and tutorials that might not be available elsewhere. I have observed students using WhatsApp study groups to share notes, discuss assignments, and clarify difficult topics outside the classroom. During the COVID-19 pandemic, social media played a critical role, enabling students to attend online lectures, collaborate remotely, and continue learning when traditional classrooms were unavailable.

Beyond academics, these platforms help young people expand their networks, connect with peers worldwide, and engage in social causes. Campaigns on climate change, mental health awareness, and gender equality gain visibility and momentum through social media, empowering youth to express themselves and drive change. Many students also develop creativity, digital literacy, and civic awareness by using these platforms responsibly.

The Negative Side

However, social media comes with significant downsides. Distraction is perhaps the most obvious. Students can spend hours endlessly scrolling or watching videos, often at the expense of study time. Studies in Ghana and internationally indicate that excessive social media use is linked to lower grades, sleep deprivation, and reduced concentration.

It can also strain personal relationships. Online interactions sometimes replace face-to-face communication, weakening social skills and creating misunderstandings. Exposure to unrealistic lifestyles, peer pressure, or cyberbullying can harm mental health, self-esteem, and social values. I recall a friend admitting to skipping lectures to stay online after seeing peers “having fun,” a clear example of how social media can distort priorities and judgment.

A Double-Edged Sword

The reality is that social media is neither entirely good nor entirely bad. Its impact depends on how individuals use it. For youth, it can be an educational, creative, and empowering tool but unchecked, it can distract, harm relationships, and negatively affect mental health and academic performance.

A Call for Responsible Use

Universities, parents, and students themselves must promote balanced usage. Institutions could offer digital literacy programs and mental health guidance to help students manage screen time. Youth should consciously use social media for learning, networking, and constructive engagement, while limiting passive scrolling. If approached responsibly, social media can become a partner in personal and academic growth rather than a stumbling block.

In the end, social media will continue to shape the lives of Ghanaian youth. The question is not whether it exists it’s whether we use it wisely. By embracing its benefits and controlling its risks, young people can turn this double-edged sword into a tool for progress, rather than a distraction from it.