IMPLICATION OF SOCIAL MEDIA USAGE ON STUDENTS ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
Today, the globe celebrates advancements in communication technology that have widened the reach of communication via Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). Without a question, modern communication technology has transformed the entire world into a "Global village." But, as it is, technology, like two sides of a coin, has both positive and harmful aspects. It assists people in being more aware, enlightened, and up to date on global events. Technology introduces people to a better method of doing things. Twitter, Yahoo Messenger, Facebook Messenger, Blackberry Messenger (BBM), Whatsapp Messenger, 2go Messenger, Skype, Google Talk, Google Messenger, iPhones, and Androids are examples of social networking sites. Most individuals utilize these social networking sites to engage with old and new acquaintances, physical or virtual ( Asemah and Edegoh, 2012). The fast growth of technology has altered the world, and this has resulted in the use of technology as the ideal medium to study the vast range of knowledge. The advancement of internet technology has resulted in its adoption as the most effective channel of communication. As a result, two-thirds of the global internet population uses social networking or blogging sites, which serve as a tool for communication and interaction. Social networking sites (SNSs) are online communities of Internet users who seek to engage with one another over topics of common interest, whether personal, 2 commercial, or intellectual (William ,Boyd, Densten, Chin, Diamond & Morgenthaler 2009). Millions of social networking sites have turned the concept of the global village into a reality in which billions of people connect via social networking sites. Numerous advantages have resulted from long-distance connection via social networking sites. Academic brilliance or accomplishment is vital in an individual's placement, whether in academic institutions or in a career. As a result, many people are concerned about how they might improve their academic performance. The emphasis on academic success, which is also prominent globally, has prompted many investigations into the factors that foster it. Academic achievement's position as a predictor of one's life success, as well as academic placement in schools to higher institutions, as well as one's level of employability in one's job, is unavoidable (Kyoshaba, 2009).
Social media usage and academic achievement of university students have a clear link. However, the darker side of technology growth has led in quandaries such as the loss of real life values, particularly among students, who constitute the bulk of users communicating through the usage of social networking sites. Online social networking services are primarily concerned with forming and reflecting social bonds among people who share common interests or activities. With so many social networking sites available on the internet, student are tempted to forego schoolwork and reading time in favor of conversing online with friends. Many kids are now glued to the current internet craze, such as Facebook and Twitter. Most teenagers and adolescents now have Facebook profiles. The reason why the majority of them perform poorly in school may not be so far-fetched. While many people are quick to blame poor instructor quality, they may have to think again if they haven't heard of the Facebook craze (Oche & Aminu .2010). Olubiyi (2012) observed that today's pupils are so involved in social media that they are online about 24 hours a day. Although social networking sites are acknowledged as a significant resource for education today, studies reveal that students use them for pleasure, to pass time, to meet current friends, or to establish new ones (Ellison, Steinfield, and Lampe 2007). Although it has been suggested that students spend a significant amount of time participating in social networking activities, with many students blaming the various social networking sites for their steady decline in grade point averages (Kimberly, Jeong, and Lee, 2009), it has also been demonstrated that only a small number of students are aware of the academic and professional networking opportunities provided by the sites.
For quite some time, the enhanced and better use of social media platforms such as Facebook has become a worldwide phenomenon. Though it began as a hobby for a few computer literates, it has evolved into a social norm and way of life for students all over the world (Nicole, 2007). According to him, students and teens have particularly recognized these social media channels for contacting their classmates, sharing information, reinventing their personalities, and showcasing their social lives. Facebook users frequently have low academic achievement. According to Karpinski (2009), social media has a detrimental correlation with students' academic performance that is far bigger than the benefits received from the use of social media platforms. People all around the world have become addicted to the internet, which has resulted in more students utilizing social media than ever before. Nalwa and Anand (2003) suggested and recommended that persons who are hooked to the internet utilize it to avoid personal and professional duties, resulting in poor academic achievement. According to Karpinski's (2009) findings, users of social media platforms (Facebook, WhatsApp) dedicate less time to their academics than nonusers and, as a result, have poorer GPAs. According to Karpinski and Duberstein (2009), one of the greatest diversions of today's age is social media platforms (such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and others). There is a link between academic achievement and reliance on social media platforms, according to Kubey, Lavin, and Barrows (2001). Researchers have undertaken several studies to determine the influence of social platform users. For example, a research on the "impact of Facebook on undergraduates academic performance" concluded that social platforms had a detrimental impact on students.
Social information processing theory is an interpersonal communication theory that proposes that while online interpersonal connection development may take longer than face-to-face relationship development, once created, it has the same effect as face-to-face communication. This indicates that the more students use social media, the more they impact their study habits, because social media buddies begin to exert influence on one another.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
` Since the introduction of social media platforms in the 1990s, it has been thought in some quarters that students' academic performance has been subjected to a great deal of neglect and difficulty. The educational system in Nigeria is confronted with several issues, which have undoubtedly resulted in a significant fall in educational quality. There is a divergence, distraction, and division of concentration between their social networking activities and their academic work. It has been found that students pay more attention to social media than to their education. Students' addiction to social networks, the frequency with which they are exposed to social networks, the social media networks to which they are more exposed, and the influence of social media as a medium of interaction between students have all been topics of discussion in recent times, and they have all had an impact on their academic performance. Instead of reading their books, students waste their time conversing and establishing friends on social media, which may have an impact on their academic performance, because there is no way to achieve well academically if you do not read. It is typical to witness a student conversing in sensitive and highly structured areas such as a church, mosque, or lecture hall. Some are so engrossed that they continue to talk even as they stroll along the highway. The development and availability of similarly smart cellular phones has compounded matters, as students no longer need to attend a cybercafé before sending and receiving messages. Attention has switched from visible to unseen companions, and key endeavors like as study and writing may suffer as a result. Many people who believe in knowledge and skill growth are concerned about this phenomena. In recent years, social media has been a majorstay in the minds of students and the globe at large, resulting in a slew of severe measures taken by students, teachers, and even educational officials. As a result, it is critical to investigate some of the current concerns affecting students' academic performance as a result of social media. Students at all levels of learning are now diverting their focus away from their schoolwork as a consequence of the seven options offered through social media. The question of whether these possibilities encourage studies must be addressed. Thus, the subject investigated in this study is the implication of social media usage on student academic performance in Imo State Polytechnic.
1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The main objective of this study generally is to examine the implication of social media usage on student academic performance in Imo State Polytechnic. Specifically, the study seeks;
i. To examine the level of student addictiveness to social media and the influence on their academic performance.
ii. To determine the social media network that the students are more exposed to and the influence on their academic performance.
iii. To ascertain how the use of social media has influence the academic performance of the students in Imo State Polytechnic. .
iv. To ascertain the difference in students’ usage of social media network by gender.
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
The following research questions were raised to guide the researcher during the course of the research:
i. To what extent would student addictiveness to social network influence their academic performance?
ii. Does the social media network that the students are more exposed to influence their academic performance?
iii. How has the use of social media influence the academic performance of the students in Imo State Polytechnic?
iv. Is there gender difference in the student’s usage of social media network?
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This study is significant to the teachers, parents and students. This study will help the teachers of the school to know the influence that social media has on their students, so as to assist them to enlighten and create awareness to the students on the possible influence it has on them. The study is of significant to parents in the sense that they will know the possible effects these social media usage has on their children, so as to serve as watch-dog to their children on the usage of the social networking site. The study will enable the students of the senior level so that they will be aware that, apart from the social benefits of this social media it excessive usage will be detrimental to their academic performance.
1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The scope of this study borders on the implication of social media usage on student academic performance. The study will further examine the level of student addictiveness to social media and the influence on their academic performance. It will determine the social media network that the students are more exposed to and the influence on their academic performance and ascertain how the use of social media has influence the academic performance of the students. The study is however delimited to higher institution student with reference to Imo State Polytechnic.
1.7 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
Like in every human endeavour, the researchers encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. The significant constraint was the scanty literature on the subject owing that it is a new discourse thus the researcher incurred more financial expenses and much time was required in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature, or information and in the process of data collection, which is why the researcher resorted to a limited choice of sample size covering only higher institution student in Imo State Polytechnic. Thus findings of this study cannot be used for generalization for other higher institution in other States within Nigeria. Additionally, the researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work will impede maximum devotion to the research. Howbeit, despite the constraint encountered during the research, all factors were downplayed in other to give the best and make the research successful.
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