The role of social media in fostering intercultural dialogue between Kerala and Tamil Nadu school students

Social media has transformed educational dynamics by facilitating communication and collaboration among students and educators. A study indicated that 96% of students with internet access utilize at least one social network, underscoring its pervasive role in their lives. While social media is often associated with entertainment, it also provides valuable educational resources and networking opportunities, enabling students to connect with peers and mentors globally. This period has seen a significant rise in the use of platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat, which serve as key entertainment and virtual communication tools. Our research indicates that while students increasingly engage with these social networking sites, the time dedicated to academic activities is considerably lower than that spent on entertainment. The use of Instagram is higher than other networking sites. A quantitative approach was used for the study. Using convenient sampling, 500 participants and the parents of school students were chosen using the online survey method. Two states (Kerala and Tamil Nadu) were the chosen locations for the selected participants from South India.