By:College Media
The Department of Forensic Evidence Technologies at the Polytechnic College – Al-Qadisiyah, in cooperation with the University Psychological Counseling Unit, organized a scientific seminar entitled “Social Media and Its Impact on the Academic Performance of University Students.” The seminar was delivered by Asst. Prof. Dr. Huda Noor Hassan, Head of the Department; Asst. Lect. Noor Qasim Hussein; and Asst. Lect. Maryam Alaa Abdulhussein. The speakers addressed several key themes related to the impact of social media on the lives of university students.
The seminar aimed to explore the influence of social media from various perspectives, ranging from academic achievement and social interaction to psychological and behavioral effects. At the outset, social media platforms were defined and their significant role in university life was highlighted. The discussion then examined their impact on academic performance, both positively—through facilitating access to information—and negatively, by causing distraction and affecting the time allocated for study and concentration.
The seminar also addressed the impact of social media on students’ personal relationships, explaining how it can enhance social interaction and relationship-building, while also potentially leading to isolation and weakened face-to-face communication.
Furthermore, the seminar discussed the psychological effects resulting from excessive use of social media, such as anxiety and depression caused by social comparison, in addition to its influence on students’ daily behaviors.
At the conclusion of the seminar, a set of practical recommendations was presented to help students use social media in a balanced manner that supports their educational journey and fosters their academic and social skills development.