Amari Henderson
Social media remains a powerful tool for activism, particularly for Black students who leverage it to organize and amplify voices for racial justice. Movements such as Black Lives Matter and Stop Cop City have garnered attention through digital platforms, helping students raise awareness of racial inequities and police violence. However, as state legislatures across the U.S. pass laws restricting discussions about race and equity on campuses, these platforms have become some of the few places where students can openly express opposition and unity.
For example, recent moves by states like Florida to limit diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives on college campuses have increased the stakes for social media activism. While these platforms allow students to critique these policies and organize resistance, they also make them visible targets for backlash from individuals and institutions opposing such efforts. The psychological toll of this attention, combined with the racialized trauma present online, contributes to anxiety and exhaustion, taking away from academic focus.
Beyond activism, social media fosters visibility, which can be good and bad for Black students. On one hand, platforms like Instagram and TikTok provide avenues to showcase achievements, build professional networks, and celebrate Black excellence. On the other hand, this visibility subjects students to harmful stereotypes, microaggressions, and even threats, particularly during politically charged moments. Recent Supreme Court decisions, such as the one overturning affirmative action in college admissions, have intensified debates online, with many Black students finding themselves caught in dividing conversations that question their place on campus.
A 2023 survey from the Pew Research Center found that nearly 60% of young adults feel stressed by political content on social media, with Black users reporting higher levels of anxiety related to racialized discussions. For Black college students, these tensions manifest in ways that are both personal and political, often distracting from their educational goals.
The social media landscape thrives on separation, making it harder for students to maintain focus amid a flood of emotionally charged content. Black students, many of whom already face barriers to academic success, report additional strain from online interactions. Studies by Rutgers University highlight the role of social media in spreading misinformation and perpetuating stereotypes, both of which disproportionately harm the mental health of Black students and their sense of belonging.
