THE INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN SOCIAL STUDIES IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The world is today celebrating the improvements in communication technology which has broadened the scope of communication through Information and
Communication Technologies (ICTs). Ufuophu and Ayobami (2012:129) observe that the ICTs include internet, satellite, cable data transmission and computer
assisted equipment. Social network is a social structure made up of individuals or organizations called “nodes”, which are tied (connected) by one or more
specific types of interdependency, such as friendship, kinship, common interest, financial exchange, dislike, sexual relationships or relationships of beliefs,
knowledge or prestige (Adeboye, 2012, cited in Asemah and Edegoh,2012). Social network can also be referred to as a map of specified ties, such as friendship, between the nodes being studied. The nodes, to which an individual is thus connected, are the social contacts of that individual; the network can also be used to measure social capital – the value that an individual gets from the social network. Social networking sites include: Yahoo Messenger, Facebook Messenger, Blackberry Messenger (BBM), Google talk, Google+Messenger, iPhone, Androids and so on. These networking sites are used by most
people to interact with old and new friends, physical or internet friends (Adeboye, 2012, cited in Asemah and Edegoh, 2012). The expansion in technology has
also acted Internet software, thus leading to chatting sites known by the name “social media”. With social networking sites, one can send and receive
messages almost immediately. However, lack of regulation of the internet has led to its excessive use. McQuail (2008:154) avers that the internet penetrates
more homes. It is a common sight to see a youth chatting in sensitive and highly organised places like church, mosque and lecture venues. Some are so
carried away that even as they are walking along the high way, they keep chatting. The manufacturing and distribution of equally sophisticated cellular
phones has complicated the situation, as youths no longer need to visit a cybercafé before they send and receive messages. Attention has been shied from
visible to invisible friends, while important ventures like study and writing are aected
in the process. This phenomenon has become a source of worry to many who believe in knowledge and skill acquisition.
