Research Scholar, Department of Sociology, IEC University Baddi (HP)
JournalRNIMJ
Volume / Issue2 / 1
Pages27–35
Published10 Feb 2026
Paper IDRNIMJ21JM26005
Views / Downloads10 / 9
Article summary
Abstract
The rapid growth of digital technology and social media has greatly influenced the daily lives and learning habits of young people. Generation Z, usually defined as those born between the mid-1990s and early 2010s, is often described as the first generation to grow up completely surrounded by digital technologies. For them, social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp, and Twitter are not just tools for entertainment but also important spaces for communication, information sharing, and learning. Through these platforms, students can easily access study materials, interact with friends and classmates, and take part in online discussions. At the same time, however, social media can also become a source of distraction that may interfere with students’ focus on their studies. This study explores how social media engagement influences the academic performance of Generation Z students in Himachal Pradesh. To understand this relationship, a quantitative research approach was used, and data were collected through a structured questionnaire from 100 students studying in various colleges and universities across the state. The results show that social media plays both a helpful and a challenging role in students’ academic lives. On the one hand, it supports learning by providing easy access to educational resources and encouraging communication and peer learning. On the other hand, spending too much time on social networking sites can reduce study time, disturb concentration, and affect academic performance. Overall, the study suggests that social media itself is not necessarily harmful. Its impact largely depends on how students manage and balance their online activities with their academic responsibilities. When used responsibly, social media can become a useful tool that supports learning and academic growth.
Keywords
Social MediaGeneration ZAcademic PerformanceDigital CultureStudentsSociologyHimachal Pradesh
Citation record
How to cite this article
Tanvi Verma (2026). Social Media Engagement and Academic Performance among Generation Z in Himachal Pradesh. ResearchNext International Multidisciplinary Journal, 2(1), 27–35. https://doi.org/10.64127/rnimj.2026v2i1005
Tanvi Verma. “Social Media Engagement and Academic Performance among Generation Z in Himachal Pradesh.” ResearchNext International Multidisciplinary Journal, vol. 2, no. 1, 2026, pp. 27–35. https://doi.org/10.64127/rnimj.2026v2i1005
Tanvi Verma. “Social Media Engagement and Academic Performance among Generation Z in Himachal Pradesh.” ResearchNext International Multidisciplinary Journal 2, no. 1 (2026): 27–35. https://doi.org/10.64127/rnimj.2026v2i1005
Tanvi Verma (2026) ‘Social Media Engagement and Academic Performance among Generation Z in Himachal Pradesh’, ResearchNext International Multidisciplinary Journal, 2(1), pp. 27–35. Available at: https://doi.org/10.64127/rnimj.2026v2i1005.
Tanvi Verma, “Social Media Engagement and Academic Performance among Generation Z in Himachal Pradesh,” ResearchNext International Multidisciplinary Journal, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 27–35, 2026. https://doi.org/10.64127/rnimj.2026v2i1005.
Tanvi Verma. Social Media Engagement and Academic Performance among Generation Z in Himachal Pradesh. ResearchNext International Multidisciplinary Journal. 2026;2(1):27–35. https://doi.org/10.64127/rnimj.2026v2i1005.
Tanvi Verma. Social Media Engagement and Academic Performance among Generation Z in Himachal Pradesh. ResearchNext International Multidisciplinary Journal 2026, 2 (1), 27–35. https://doi.org/10.64127/rnimj.2026v2i1005.
No separate funding declaration was available in the verified source record; the journal policy applies.
Conflict of Interest
No separate conflict-of-interest declaration was available in the verified source record; the journal policy applies.
Ethical Approval
No separate ethical approval statement was available in the verified source record; the article and journal policies apply.
Data Availability
No separate data-availability statement was available in the verified source record; contact the author(s) or editorial office where appropriate.
Author Contributions
No separate author-contribution statement was available in the verified source record; authorship follows the published article record.
AI-use Declaration
No separate AI-use declaration was available in the verified source record; the journal AI-use policy applies.
Editorial record
Publisher's Note
The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author(s). Publication does not imply endorsement by the journal, editorial board or publisher. Responsibility for accuracy, originality and integrity remains with the author(s). Readers should independently evaluate and verify information before application or citation.
Arora, G., Shree, M. R., Agrawal, R., Rishaabh, L., Shaikh, R., & Jain, M. (2025). A study on impact of social media on mental health of Gen Z. REST Journal on Advances in Mechanical Engineering, 4(1), 55–66. https://doi.org/10.46632/rest.v4i1.7
Asare-Donkoh, F. (2018). Impact of social media on Ghanaian high school students. Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal), 1914. Source
El-Badawy, T. A., & Hashem, Y. (2015). The impact of social media on intellectual development. Journal of Communication and Media Research, 7(1), 1–12.
G, C., & Sushmitha, A. (2025). The impact of academic performance on Gen Z in digital era. International Journal of Creative Research Thoughts, 13(2), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.53260/ijcrt.252398
Hartney, E. (2022, January 24). Peer pressure. Verywell Mind. Source
Holly, L., Byrne, A., & Goodyer, I. (2023). Optimising adolescent wellbeing in a digital age. BMJ, 380, Article e068279. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2021-068279
Kohnová, L., & Papula, J. (2020). Generation Z: Social media as a tool for education. In A. Siarheyeva, C. Busch, & P. White (Eds.), Proceedings of the 7th European Conference on Social Media (pp. 127– 134). Academic Conferences and Publishing International Limited.
Mansour, B. (2019). The role of digital learning tools in enhancing student motivation.
Park, S. Y., Do, B., Yourell, J., Hermer, J., & Huberty, J. (2023). Digital methods towards Generation Z spiritual and mental health: A scoping review. Interactive Journal of Medical Research. https://doi.org/10.2196/preprints.48929
Thanji, M., & Vasantha, S. (2018). A study of benefits and limitations of e-learning—A learner’s perspective. Journal of Social Sciences, Interdisciplinary Research, 5(1), 45–56. Source
Verma, N. (2025). A study of the impact of social media on Generation Z, Doctoral dissertation, Oriental University.