AN ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF BIOLOGY STUDENTS IN SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN OVIA NORTH EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF EDO STATE.

This study investigated the impact of social media on the academic performance of students in senior secondary schools in Ovia North East Local Government Area. The study was guided by three research questions which examined the extent to which social media affects students’ academic performance, the positive and negative effects of social media on learning, and the challenges students encounter when using social media platforms in the teaching and learning process. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study.

The population of the study consisted of Biology students in senior secondary schools, and a sample of 100 respondents was selected from two private schools and two public schools within the study area. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire titled Questionnaire on Impact of Social Media on the Academic Performance of Biology Students (QISMAPBS), which contained twenty items. The collected data were analyzed using frequency counts and simple percentages.

The findings revealed that social media has both positive and negative effects on students’ academic performance. The results showed that social media can enhance students’ research abilities and critical thinking skills; however, some students feel overwhelmed when using social media for learning purposes. The study also identified challenges such as poor internet connectivity, which affects students’ ability to effectively access social media platforms for academic activities.

The study concluded that social media can serve as a useful educational tool when properly managed. It therefore recommended that educators integrate social media into their teaching strategies to improve student engagement and learning outcomes, while policymakers should develop guidelines that encourage the responsible and effective use of social media in schools.