Mapping the Impact of Social Media on Students’ Performance: A Bibliometric and Visualization Study

This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric and visualization analysis of global research on the impact of social media on students’ performance (SMSP) published between 2016 and 2025. Data were retrieved from the Scopus database using a structured search strategy and refined through PRISMA-based screening procedures, resulting in a final dataset of 1,059 publications included in the analysis. Bibliometric indicators such as publication growth, citation patterns, authorship trends, productive authors, affiliations, countries, and source titles were examined using Bibliomagika, Bibliometrix (R), Biblium, VOSviewer, OpenRefine, and MS Excel. The findings revealed a substantial increase in research productivity after 2020, which may be associated with the increased adoption of online learning and digital communication during the COVID-19 pandemic. Collaborative authorship dominated the field, indicating strong interdisciplinary and international research cooperation. The United States, China, Saudi Arabia, and Malaysia emerged as major contributors. In contrast, journals such as PLoS ONE, Sustainability, and the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health were identified as influential publications. Keyword co-occurrence and factorial mapping analyses highlighted major themes related to academic performance, mental health, social media addiction, online learning, and digital engagement among students.