THE EFFECT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON STUDENT ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AMONG STUDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF BENIN

This study examined the effect of social media on the academic performance of undergraduate students at the University of Benin. The increasing use of social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X has significantly influenced students' academic and social lives, creating both opportunities for learning and challenges related to distraction and excessive usage. The study sought to determine the purposes for which students use social media, examine its relationship with academic performance, identify any gender differences in usage, and explore ways of reducing social media addiction among students. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. Data were collected through the use of structured questionnaires administered to 100 undergraduate students selected through simple random sampling. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequencies and percentages.The findings revealed that WhatsApp is the most frequently used social media platform among students. It was also found that while some students use social media for academic purposes, the majority use it mainly for entertainment and communication. The study also demonstrated the detrimental effects of excessive social media use on students' focus, study habits, and general academic achievement. However, social media can improve students' academic performance when utilized sensibly for learning, knowledge sharing, and academic cooperation. According to the study's findings, students' academic performance can be impacted by social media in both positive and negative ways, depending on their usage habits and goals. As a result, it advised students to prioritize their academic work, use social media more for learning, and manage their time well. To encourage improved academic results, universities can also host awareness campaigns about safe social media use.