Social media has evolved magnificently since the first email sent in 1971. Social media is any form of website or application that allows us to share content with each other with a simple sharing tool. Social media has become an addiction for most. If you asked the average student if they are logged into a social networking site, about 73% would say yes. Additionally, about 63 percent of people log into a social networking site daily and on average 40 percent log in several times a day. Everyone has their own reasons for using social media, which may include shopping, research, or other personal reasons such as venting and status updates. Students often log onto social media because the majority of them have one and feel included. Social media has become an addiction for many students who have a profile on a site. They feel the need to always be connected to society. Many of these students' grades suffered or increased due to better relationships with other students. My essay will attempt to prove that social media has affected children's education and is preventing them from achieving the academic growth they need. How often do we wonder how social media affects our thinking? Few people often engage in challenging our critical thinking skills because they don't often worry about it. Social media allows people to give up their research, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills in order to allow others to help them. Social media sites have affected our thinking skills and our ability to retain information has decreased significantly. Students begin to become more dependent on the Internet and no longer think for themselves. Although many are turning to social media... middle of paper... it's up to you. Works Cited “How does social media affect the lifestyle of adolescents? » HubPages. Simply Help, March 21, 2014. Web. May 15, 2014. “Membership.” Educational Leadership: Teaching for the 21st Century: 21st Century Skills: The Challenges Ahead. Andrew J. Rothemham, September 2009. Web. May 15, 2014. “Social Media Use Can Lead to Bad Grades – Brown Daily Herald.” » Brown Daily Herald. Riley Davis, April 24, 2013. Web. May 13, 2014. “Social media leading to less critical thinking.” » WebProNews. Steven Bradley, April 4, 2008. Web. May 15, 2014. “The 10 Best and Worst Ways Social Media Impacts Education – Edudemic.” » Edudemic. Jeff Dunn, July 11, 2011. Web. May 15, 2014. “The Journal of Technology in Student Affairs.” » Effects of student engagement with social media on student learning: A review of the literature. Kristen Tarantino, June 2013. Web. May 15 2014.