Narrative literature review on the role of social media usage as learning tools among young adults in Malaysia / Maszuita Maamin

Excessive use of social media as a learning tool can lead to information overload and shallow learning. Nowadays, young adults utilise social media such as WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and TikTok, which are extensively used as learning tools for education and knowledge sharing. The study aims to provide insights into how young adults use social media for learning purposes and its impact on the learning experiences of young adults in Malaysia. A narrative literature review was undertaken between 2019 and 2023, using the 3 Scopus and 7 Google Scholar electronic databases. Therefore, the searches were carried out using boolean operators and/or. The search was performed using keywords such as “social media AND learning tools," “social media AND learning tools AND user OR young adults AND Malaysia", and “social media AND young adults," in conjunction with a variety of other relevant keywords about the subject matter. The study examined 10 articles using preferred reporting items for narrative reviews and key terms related to the subject. Findings indicate that these platforms serve as collaborative learning, knowledge sharing, and skill development channels. However, the literature also identifies the impact on the learning experience, where abundant information can lead to confusion, bias, and inaccurate knowledge acquisition. For future research directions, it would be beneficial to explore an in-depth interview to gain a deeper understanding of the role of social media as a learning tool among young adults in Malaysia and to capture different experiences, perceptions, and coping strategies related to social media usage.