THE EFFECT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON STUDENTS ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

THE EFFECT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON STUDENTS ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

(A STUDY OF OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY, ILE-IFE, OSUN STATE)

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1       BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Major changes in the communication industry resulted from the introduction of the internet in the 1990s. The Internet has firmly established itself in peoples’ lives today. It is difficult to envision a young man who does not scan the news lines and check social media at least once a day. The current world compels us to remain connected and informed about recent events worldwide.

Without a question, the development of the internet has greatly aided the spread of social networking services (SNSS). These websites’ creation transformed communication, and we now celebrate how technology has improved everything from education to entertainment.

A recent investigation has revealed Two-thirds (2/3) of internet users use social networking sites (SNSs), which act as tools for connection and communication as a result of the internet’s expansion into the best form of communication. These social networking platforms are known as social media (Boyd and Ellison, 2007).

Social networking has expanded to practically every country in the world and has become a widespread international trend. Social media usage has skyrocketed, developing into a platform where individuals can generate material, share it, bookmark it, and network at an astounding rate. Students are among the most prominent social media users. There is no denying that social networks have taken over a student’s entire life and consume the majority of their leisure time. There are several points of view and points of agreement regarding the four main benefits of using social media in higher education. They include strengthening connections, boosting motivation for learning, providing tailored course content, and fostering teamwork (Wheeler, Yeomans and Wheeler,2008; Rifkin, Longnecker, Leach and Ortia,2009). They include strengthening connections, boosting motivation for learning, providing tailored course content, and fostering teamwork (Wheeler, Yeomans and Wheeler,2008; Rifkin, Longnecker, Leach and Ortia,2009). Additionally, Kuppuswamy and Shankar (2010) reviewed that social networking websites draw students’ attention before diverting it to inappropriate and non-educational activities, such as pointless chit-chatting. Liccardi et al. (2007) argued that students are socially connected with one another and as a result share their daily learning experiences and do conversation on various topics through social media. Social networks, according to academics, are particularly risky for teenagers because they give them the erroneous sense that love and friendship are simple to win and as simple to lose. The truth may also seem overly dull to young people who are accustomed to the fast-paced Internet lifestyle, and they may try to “restore” it by engaging in reckless behavior, although this is impossible. Some people are in favor of using social media. They assert that the latter facilitate student information sharing and give them access to knowledge. Others believe that students use social media mostly to converse about things other than their studies and that it just serves to divert them from their studies.

Since everything interesting has both positive and negative consequences, social media is no different. As we all know, nothing worthwhile is ever fully one-sided. There is a link between university students’ use of social media and their academic success. This study will demonstrate how widely students use social media. For instance, Wiley and Sisson (2006) contend that prior research has shown that more than 90% of students in tertiary institutions use social networks. Also, research shows that as part of their daily routine, students spend about thirty (30) minutes each day on social networking sites (SNSs) (Nicole, Charles, and Cliff, 2007). This demonstrates the extent to which students are using these websites, which could have both beneficial and negative consequences on students’ academic achievement.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

There are billions of users worldwide who are served by the interconnected computer networks known as the internet. It is made up of millions of local to worldwide private, public, academic, business, and government networks that are connected by a wide range of electronic, wireless, and optical networking technologies. The way individuals currently communicate on a daily basis has been greatly impacted by the development of media technologies. Social media use among today’s youth is expanding daily and becoming more and more popular among students.

It is a means to connect with pals outside of school as well as on campus. Social networking can help people feel like they are a part of a group. Due to its rising popularity, there are now concerns about how students’ use of these sites and activities there may impair their academic achievement.

The importance of the internet as a source of information today, however, cannot be overstated, nor can the extent to which students are using social media. Students have been seen to spend more time and attention on social media than they do on their academics, and if they don’t learn, they won’t do well on their exams (Osharie, 2015). Also, the study by Maya (2015) found that social media use is linked to poorer academic achievement, low self-esteem, and a lack of interest in careers that are college-oriented. Academic achievement is significant in a person’s life, whether it be in the family, at social events, at work, in an institution, or even among peers. Because it plays a significant role in an individual’s life in terms of a successful life and respect around the world, academic achievement is given a lot of importance. As a result, many people are worried about how to enhance their academic performance (Kyoshaba, 2009). Research have also shown that social media has an impact on how well pupils utilize English. Students frequently copy the same mistakes during exams because they become accustomed to writing in shorthand while chatting with friends (Obi, Bulus, Adamu, and Sala’at, 2012).

Students today, particularly those in university education, have been using social networking sites (SNSs). Consequently, the purpose of this study is to examine how social media affects students at Obafemi Awolowo University’s academic performance.

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

1. To determine how frequently Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) students access various social media sites.
2. To calculate the daily average amount of time Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) students spend on social media.
3. To learn about the many social networking sites that Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) students use daily.
4. To find out how Obafemi Awolowo University students’ academic performance has been impacted by their use of social media.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. How frequently do Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) students use various social media sites?
2. How long do Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) students spend engaging in social media activities?
3. Which social media sites do Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) students frequent daily?
4. How has Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) student use of social media impacted their academic performance?

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Investigating how social media affects undergrad students’ academic performance at universities is the goal of this study. Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) students would be evaluated in order to successfully address the study. Researchers might benefit more from the study’s additional information on the impact of social media on students’ academic achievement. The study’s findings will be pertinent for helping students comprehend the variety of social media and ethical ways to benefit from them. They will also provide pertinent information for students and other scholars conducting related research.

1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The scope of this research is just Obafemi Awolowo University. The main goal of this research project is to examine how social media affects students’ academic performance. In order to facilitate data analysis, this research activity would often concentrate on students at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU). This will cut costs and prevent any complexity that might develop from a verge population. Nonetheless, because student profiles are typically rather similar, the research’s conclusions would apply to all undergraduates enrolled in Nigerian universities.

1.7 OPERATION DEFINITION OF TERMS

1. Internet: A worldwide network of computer networks that transmit and exchange data more easily by utilizing the TCP/IP network protocols. The internet is often referred to as a worldwide network connecting millions of computers, according to “Wikipedia”.

The definition of the internet is a system of interconnected computer networks that connects billions of users globally and makes use of the standard internet protocol suite. It is made up of millions of local to worldwide private, public, academic, business, and government networks that are connected by a wide range of electronic, wireless, and optical networking technologies.

2. Media: media are all those media technologies that are intended to reach a large audience by mass communication. They are messages communicated through a mass medium to a number of people.  According to “Wikipedia” Media are the communication outlets or tools used to store and deliver information or data. The term refers to components of the mass media communications industry, such as print media, publishing, the news media, photography, cinema, broadcasting, and advertising.

3. Social media: Social media are forms of electronic communication which facilitate interactive social networking base on certain interests. Social media include web and mobile technology. Kaplan and Haenlein (2010), defined social media as a group of internet-based applications that

Builds on the ideological and technological foundations of Web 2.0 and allow the creation and exchange of user-generated content. The Oxford dictionary (2011), also defined social media as “websites and applications used for social networking”. According to another description, social media is “a communication medium that is very popular, incredibly rapid, and broad, has proven to be highly effective, as well as trusted by billions of people, to share and discover content about individuals, brands, information, entertainment, and know-how.” (2014) (Dearborn). All of these definitions share the common idea that social media incorporates some sort of online interpersonal interactions.

4. Academic performance: Per Wikipedia, “academic achievement” refers to the degree to which a student, instructor, or institution has met their immediate or long-term educational objectives. Academic achievement is the completion of educational milestones such secondary school diplomas and bachelor’s degrees. The information and abilities that students have mastered in a subject or course are sometimes referred to as academic performance. It simply serves as a gauge of how well pupils did on the numerous assessment tasks assigned to them based on particular educational standards established by qualified educators.

5. A student is a person who is enrolled in school or a university. A person who is interested in a certain subject or academic field can also be considered a student.