Social media has evolved beautifully since the first email was 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 students: If you asked the average student if they were connected to a social networking site, approximately 73% would answer with a yes. Additionally, approximately 63% of people log in to a social media site daily, and on average 40% log in multiple times a day. Everyone has their own reasons for using social media which might include shopping, research, or other personal reasons like venting and status updates. Students often connect to social media because most students have one, so they 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. The grades of many of these students have suffered or increased due to better connections with other students. My essay will attempt to demonstrate that social media has affected children's education and prevents them from achieving the academic growth they need. How often do we wonder how social media influences our thinking? Not many often engage in questioning our critical thinking skills because they often don't care. Social media allows people to abandon their research, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills to allow others to help them. Social media sites have affected our thinking skills, our ability to retain information has decreased tremendously. Students are starting to become more and more dependent on the Internet and not thinking for themselves. While many turn to social media...middle of the paper...it's up to you.Works Cited"How do social networks impact teenagers' lifestyles?" HubPages. Simply Aide, 21 March 2014. Web. 15 May 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 Poor Grades - Brown Daily Herald." Brown Daily Herald. Riley Davis, April 24, 2013. Web. May 13, 2014."Social networking leads to less critical thinking." WebProNews. Steven Bradley, April 04, 2008. Web. May 15, 2014."The 10 Best and Worst Ways Social Media Affects 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.