Let’s be honest, almost everyone in high school is on social media. Between Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube, it’s hard not to get caught scrolling for hours. But some freshmen at New Providence High School have started cutting back on how much time they spend online, and they’re seeing some pretty good results.

 “Social media hasn’t been the main problem,” said freshman Jay Jindal. “The main problem is time management.”

 Jindal said that at first, it was hard to stay off social media because he felt like he was missing out on what his friends were doing. But a later, it got easier and his grades started improving.

Another freshman, Rikth Das, said he had the same experience. He used to check his phone during homework breaks but realized those breaks turned into full distractions. Once he started putting his phone in another room while studying, he said thing:  changed his grades, his focus, even his mood.

 “When I was on my phone all the time, I’d get distracted and forget what I just read,” Das said. “Now, I finish my homework faster and actually understand it better.”

 Both Jindal and Das still use social media, but in smaller doses. They check it after they’re done with schoolwork instead of during it. They said they still get to enjoy it, but now it doesn’t take over their whole day.

 “For someone who is on social media a lot, their attention is not focused on their academic life,” Jindal said. “I would suggest that they place higher emphasis on their school work.”

Focusing on your studies is really important for your future. If you study hard now, it will pay off later in life.

 “I think a lot of people don’t realize how much time social media takes up,” Das said. “You don’t have to quit it completely, just take breaks sometimes.”

 In the end, both Jindal and Das agree that less screen time doesn’t mean less fun  it just means more balance. By spending less time scrolling and more time focusing on school, they’ve both boosted their grades and their confidence.