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.