Rethinking Effects of Excessive Use of Social Media Technologies (SMTS) on the Academic Performance of Students: A Case Study of Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria

Abstract

Excessive use of Social Media Technologies (SMTs) has become an issue of international concern which is giving educationists, policy makers and parents of students of tertiary institutions cause to fear that it might lead to health problems. This research assessed the effect of social media technologies on students’ academic performance in the Faculty of the Social Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka.  Three research questions guided the study which adopted the descriptive survey design. The sample was 480 students purposively taken from the FSS, DELSU. Uses and Gratifications, and Media Dependency theories were the anchors of the study. Frequency tabulation, simple percentages and explanation building were used to present and analyzed the data collected. Findings show that there is a positive relationship between time spent on social media platforms and academic work that has however not turned many students to social media addicts. The study also found that the nature of social media activities which the students engage in positively enhanced their academic performance. The conclusion of the study is that excessive of SMTs cannot be said to categorically lead to addiction. The study recommends that students should become more discerning users of SMTs to intellectually and effectively separate their academic lives from their social lives.