1.1 Introduction
Social Media is an online platform and application that enable users to create, share, and interact with content, such as Facebook, and Instagram (Kaplan & Haenlein, 2010). The advent of social media has revolutionized the way individuals communicate and access information. Platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat have become integral parts of daily life, particularly among young people. in the context of education, the pervasive use of social media raises important questions about its influence on students' academic performance. The integration of social media into students' lives can be a double-edged sword; while it offers opportunities for learning and collaboration, it also presents potential distractions and challenges.
According to Junco (2012), the benefits of social media come with significant drawbacks. Excessive use of social media has been linked to reduced academic performance, largely due to the time spent on these platforms that could otherwise be devoted to studying and completing assignments (Junco, 2012).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitation of the study and Definition of terms.
1.2 Background of Study
The era of the teacher being a reservoir of knowledge has past. The world is moving at a jet speed as a result of advances in technology. Importantly, technology entails information and communication which may be defined as the handling and processing of information (texts, images, graphs, instruction) for use by means of electronic and communication devices such as computer, cameras, telephones (Oleabhiele, 2015).
The Internet revolution changed the information world with regard to sharing, speed, storage and retrieval of information in whatever form regardless of the person’s location. Through the Internet a number of web technologies emerged, and one technology that is making waves with regard to information sharing and communication are the social media networks. The evolution of social media has cut across all facets of society with its positive and negative impacts. Social media has transformed and impacted on communication, learning, research and education in general. Among the vast variety of online tools which are available for communication, social networking sites (SNS) have become the most modern and attractive tools for connecting people throughout the world (Aghazamani, 2010).
Davis et al (2012), refer to social media technology (SMT) as “web-based and mobile applications that allow individuals and organizations to create, engage, and share new use rgenerated or existing content, in digital environments through multi-way communication”. Through this platform, individuals and organizations create profiles, share and exchange information on various activities and interests. An interesting aspect of social media is that, it is not limited to desktop or laptop computers but could be accessed through mobile applications and smart phones making it very accessible and easy to use. Examples of these social media platforms both on the web and mobile application include Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Whatsapp, Instagram, blogs etc.
Communicating through the internet and social networking websites is quite different from communicating in person-to-person situation. When users communicate through these websites, they use things like instant message (IM) and chatting as well as status or Twitter updates to talk to friends and express themselves (Kaitlin, 2010). Kaitlin (2010) further opines that social networking websites also affect the way we receive information and news. The sites open up different portals through which we get information and create more diverse news outlets.
The use of social media (like facebook, Youtube, twitter and whatsapp) by secondary school students today is resulting to mass failure of students in academic achievement (David, 2014). This is because students these days spend more time chatting with their friends rather than engaging in research or reading their books. A growing number of Nigerian scholars agree that addiction to social media sites have become a distractive technology to students’ academic work in higher education.
Among the scholar is Oluwatoyin (2011) who surveyed 1,860 Facebook users from the Lagos State University and found that 90percent of the students could not get up to cumulative grade point average (CGPA) above 3.50 because they had spent a large part of their time on social media than on their home work and study time (which could contribute to higher grade).
Social media plays a variety of roles in education as highlighted by Al-Khalifa and Garcia (2013) which include providing a medium to share ideas and opinions as well as allowing students to build their own communities to collaborate with each other. As stated by Ndaku (2013), students spend a lot of time on social networking sites than in their academic activities and this affects their academic performance. There have been a lot of debates on various platforms and media as to the impact that social media has on society and specifically, its effect on education. Some of these studies found a drop in students’ grades and academic performance, and lack of time for studies as consequences of social media network participation (Banquil et al, 2009; Kirschner and Karpinski, 2010; Ndaku, 2013).
On the other hand, Pasek et al. (2006) “stated that a site-specific culture can both positively and negatively affect the building of social capital and found that Facebook usage is not positively associated with lower grades of students and rather Facebook users scored higher grades”. Kolek and Saunders (2008) did not find any correlation between GPAs of student users and social network participation such as Facebook. Rather social network sites (SNS) promote interactions among students and teachers (Ahmed & Qazi, 2011). Hence, this study will examine the Impact of Social Media on Students’ Academic Performance Among Senior Secondary School Students in education district I of Lagos State.
1.3 Statement of Problem
Investigation revealed that the increasing integration of social media into the lives of senior secondary school students has raised significant concerns about its impact on their academic performance. While social media platforms offer numerous educational benefits, such as access to information, collaboration opportunities, and enhanced communication between students and teachers, they also pose potential risks that can adversely affect students' academic outcomes.
One major problem is the potential for distraction. Students who spend excessive time on social media may find it difficult to focus on their studies, leading to decreased academic performance. Research has shown that high levels of social media use are associated with lower grades and reduced academic achievement (Junco, 2012). The constant influx of notifications and the temptation to engage with online content can interrupt students' concentration and reduce the time available for studying and completing assignments (Kirschner & Karpinski, 2010).
Another issue is the quality of the information students encounter on social media. While these platforms can provide valuable educational resources, they are also rife with misinformation and unverified content. Students who rely on social media for academic information may be exposed to inaccuracies that can negatively impact their learning (Hargittai, Fullerton, Menchen-Trevino, & Thomas, 2010).
Furthermore, social media can contribute to negative psychological effects, such as anxiety and depression, which can in turn affect academic performance. The pressure to maintain a certain online image and the fear of missing out (FOMO) can create stress and reduce students' ability to concentrate on their studies (Vogel, Rose, Roberts, & Eckles, 2014).
Preliminary investigation and interviews with some teachers and students revealed a number of challenges in relation to student’s participation on social media networks. These included a high addiction rate among students which affects their time of study, the wrong usage of grammar and spelling in social media discourse as well as distracting students from their studies. Therefore, this research seeks to explore the impact of social media on students’ academic performance among senior secondary school students in education district I of Lagos State.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to examine the Impact of Social Media on Students’ Academic Performance Among Senior Secondary School Students. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To investigate the potential distractions and challenges posed by social media use and their impact on students’ focus and study habits;
- To evaluate the role of social media as an educational tool and its effectiveness in enhancing learning and academic engagement;
- To analyze the correlation between the amount of time spent on social media and students’ academic performance;
- To assess the extent of social media usage among senior secondary school students; and
- To provide recommendations for educators, parents, and policymakers on strategies to optimize the benefits of social media while mitigating its negative effects on students' academic performance.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- Does senior secondary school student frequently use social media, and which platforms are most commonly used?
- Does student use social media as an educational tool, and what are the perceived benefits?
- Is there relationship between the amount of time spent on social media and students’ academic performance?
- Which specific social media activities contribute positively to students’ academic outcomes?
- What types of social media use are associated with negative impacts on academic performance?
- What distractions and challenges do students face due to social media use, and how do these affect their focus and study habits?
- What are students’ perceptions and attitudes towards the role of social media in their academic lives?
- What strategies can educators, parents, and policymakers implement to balance the benefits and drawbacks of social media use for students?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: There is no significant relationship between social media and academic performance among the secondary school students in Lagos State.
- H1: There is a significant relationship between social media and academic performance among the secondary school students in Lagos State.
Hypothesis Two
- H0: Student do not invest substantial amount of time in social networking.
- H1: Student invest substantial amount of time in social networking.
Hypothesis Three
- H0: There is no significant relationship between the use of social media and study habits of students.
- H1: There is a significant relationship between the use of social media and study habits of students.
Hypothesis Four
- H0: The presence of social media distractions does not significantly reduce the study time and focus of senior secondary school students, leading to poorer academic performance.
- H1: The presence of social media distractions significantly reduces the study time and focus of senior secondary school students, leading to poorer academic performance.
1.7 Significance of Study
The outcome realized from the research findings will be significant to the following stakeholders:
- For students, understanding the impact of social media on their academic performance can help them make informed decisions about their online activities. This knowledge empowers them to balance their social media use with their academic responsibilities, ultimately enhancing their educational outcomes.
- For parents, insights from this study can guide them in monitoring and regulating their children's social media usage. By understanding the potential positive and negative effects, parents can support their children in leveraging social media for educational purposes while minimizing distractions and detrimental impacts on their academic performance.
- For educators, the findings of this research can inform teaching strategies and classroom management. Teachers can incorporate effective social media tools into their instructional practices, fostering an engaging and interactive learning environment while also identifying and addressing potential distractions that may hinder students' academic progress.
- For school administrators, this study provides valuable information for developing policies and guidelines regarding social media use within the school context. Administrators can implement programs and initiatives that promote responsible social media use, ensuring it contributes positively to the school’s academic objectives.
- For policymakers, the research offers evidence-based insights that can shape educational policies and regulations. By understanding the complex relationship between social media use and academic performance, policymakers can craft strategies that support educational technology integration while safeguarding students’ academic interests and well-being.
1.8 Scope of the Study
The scope of this research is focused on the Impact of Social Media on Students’ Academic Performance Among Senior Secondary School Students using Some selected Secondary School in Odeda Local Government as a case study.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
One limitation of this study is the reliance on self-reported data, which may be subject to biases such as social desirability or inaccurate recall. Additionally, the study's cross-sectional design captures a snapshot in time, making it difficult to establish causality between social media use and academic performance.
The sample size and demographic scope may also limit the generalizability of the findings to all senior secondary school students. Another limitation is the rapidly changing nature of social media platforms and trends, which can affect the relevance of the findings over time.
Finally, external factors such as socioeconomic status, parental involvement, and individual differences in time management skills were not controlled for, potentially influencing the results.
1.10 Operational Definition of Terms
Social Media:
Online platforms and applications that enable users to create, share, and interact with content, such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat (Kaplan & Haenlein, 2010).
Academic Performance:
The measurable outcomes of a student’s educational achievements, typically assessed through grades, test scores, and other evaluative criteria (York, Gibson, & Rankin, 2015).
Senior Secondary School Students:
Students who are enrolled in the final years of secondary education, typically ranging from ages 15 to 18, depending on the educational system (UNESCO, 2012).
