Confessions of a Distracted Student: Social Media vs. My Studies

    

Me distracted at the Kampala Writes LitFest

Social media addiction has hijacked my reading and writing. This is my confession, as a first-year Humanities student specialising in Literature, English, and Journalism. It has been done so that I can barely focus on reading a single page. My daily routine has been to spend most of my free time on social media. One and a half hours on YouTube punctuated by quick checks of Instagram, X, and Facebook. The constant beeps from notifications keep me checking my phone or laptop every other second to read the information that someone has shared or find out what is trending.

This constant need to check my phone or laptop has affected my academic performance. Social media has an impact on both reading and writing skills. This reduces literacy among young people. A recent study by Associate Professor Leonie Rutherford suggests that younger readers find it hard to get suitable books to read. This has led to a decline in reading. A survey of 350 teachers reveals that 89% believe that social media has hurt the reading habits of students. As a mature adult, these findings combined with my reading comprehension struggles show that reading is on the decline in the digital age. According to an article by Tutor Doctor, the major contributors are shortened attention spans, increased distractions, and instant gratification from digital media.

Furthermore, the rise of digital communication has had a profound impact on writing skills. As a Gen X and a journalism, literature, and English student, this is a serious problem for me. Writing is my hobby, but lately, social media is slowly killing my love for it. The fear of missing out (FOMO) is causing me to constantly check X for updates while my academic reading suffers. My struggle to handwrite resonates with a 2012 study highlighted by CNN in 2013. This study found that 33% of people struggled to read their handwriting. As if that was not enough, there was a decline in cursive writing. The decrease in handwriting skills and cursive writing was directly linked to the rise of digital communication. Nicholas Cronquist, a young professional featured in the CNN article, observed that his reliance on technology significantly impacted his handwriting, thus making it difficult and even painful to write by hand. In a recent study from the University of Stavanger, it was found that around 40% of Gen Zs are losing their grip on handwritten communication. This mirrors my struggles with handwriting. This decline, as highlighted in the article, is attributed to the increasing dominance of digital communication platforms that give priority to speed and brevity over thoughtful expression.

The impact is undeniable. I have forgotten how to hold a pen and write fast. I used to burn midnight candles reading fat novels, but these days even short stories are a struggle for me to read. During exams, I deliberately avoided numbers which I felt too lazy to attempt because I did not want to ‘overthink.’

It is not easy to break free from this problem. I plan on digital detoxing by reducing my screen time, doing more handwriting, and spending more time reading books. If it means visiting the library more often, I will do so instead of waiting to do so during the examination season. Attending the Kampala Writes LitFest at the Onomo Hotel on December 7 and 8, 2024, was a turning point for me. Seeing the authors, poets, readers, and artists who came to celebrate Ugandan literature reignited my love for the written word. This experience served as a powerful reminder of the importance of connecting with the written word and the vibrant literary community. I am determined to overcome the challenges posed by social media and cultivate a deeper appreciation for reading and writing.

References

Casey, M. (2013, July 28). Has technology ruined handwriting? | CNN business. CNN.

https://edition.cnn.com/2013/07/26/tech/web/impact-technology-handwriting/index.html

 

Janine. (2025, January 22). Impact of digital media on children’s reading habits. Tutor

Doctor. https://tutordoctor.com.au/blog/impact-of-digital-media-on-childrens-reading-habits/#:~:text=Shortened%20Attention%20Spans&text=Social%20media%20platforms%20and%20video,or%20even%20full%2Dlength%20articles.

 

Rena, Tomas, DoBetter, Rick, Richard, E, Jazmine, Taylor, G., Trice, Pat, J., Mayanja, N. A., Tessa,                   Amy, Patton, M., Apurv, Michael, J., Mileski, P., Mike, Hawk, J. T., …    Leteane, M. (2025,                   January 21). Generation Z is losing a skill we’ve had for 5,500 years: 40% are losing mastery of            communication. Indian Defence Review.  https://indiandefencereview.com/generation-z-is-                      losing-a-skill-weve-had-for-5500-years-40-are-losing-mastery-of-communication/