TikTok and social media fuel student procrastination

By Alexis Freeman

Courtesy of Adobe Stock

Most college students say social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram are fueling

procrastination, making it harder to complete assignments on time, according to recent studies. Social media use among college students is fueling higher rates of procrastination, academic

delays and mental fatigue, according to new research from the American Psychological

Association. Studies show that up to 95% of college students procrastinate, and experts say

platforms like TikTok and Instagram have made the problem harder to control.

“I tend to get distracted when I get messages from friends on TikTok or Instagram,” said

Shakiaya Sanders, a fourth-year public relations student.

For many, social media is used as a quick mental break. Students reply to messages, scroll

through videos, and check updates between assignments. What begins as a five-minute break can easily turn into an hour of distraction. The constant notifications and endless content make it

difficult for students to return to their work once their phone is in their hand.

Many students say the constant pull of social media leaves them feeling frustrated with

themselves. They often plan to study for an hour but end up losing track of time, which creates a cycle of guilt, stress, and falling behind on assignments that adds to their mental fatigue.

The lure of instant gratification makes it harder for students to stay focused. Schoolwork requires effort and focus, while social media provides fast, enjoyable content that demands little to no mental energy. This makes it more tempting for students to turn to Instagram or TikTok instead of finishing their work, especially when they leave feeling overwhelmed and stressed. The more time spent on the phone scrolling, the harder it becomes to start or finish their tasks.

Social media can also impact motivation. After spending long periods scrolling, many students end up feeling mentally tired or drained, making it harder to shift their focus back to academic tasks. Memes, trending sounds, and videos provide quick entertainment, but they can also pull attention away from important responsibilities.

Procrastination isn’t all about poor time management; it also affects sleep, stress levels, and

productivity. When students are delaying assignments until the last minute due to distractions, they often rush to complete their assignments before the given deadline, preferably 11:59 p.m. This can lead to low-quality work, added pressure, and late nights trying to catch up.

However, social media isn’t always a bad thing. Students can use it for connecting with

employers. According to CareerArc, as many as 92 percent of companies use social media in

some form to hire new employees for jobs. Social media accounts are one place that employers may search to gain insight into a prospective employee’s values, habits, and integrity.

Small changes like setting time limits for scrolling, keeping phones out of reach to limit

distractions, and silencing notifications during study time.

As social media continues to dominate students’ daily routines, students are exploring ways to curb distractions and encourage better time management to prevent procrastination from

affecting grades.