Online learning platforms

This study investigates the perceived effect of internet use on the academic performance of secondary school students in Egor Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria. The research explores the relationship between internet use, including frequency, duration, and type of content accessed, and students' academic outcomes. A descriptive survey research design was employed, with 150 students from three randomly selected secondary schools as the study's sample. Data were collected through a self-structured questionnaire, which was validated and tested for reliability using Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient (0.81). The findings revealed a dual impact of internet use on students’ academic performance. Students reported that while educational internet use positively influenced their academic performance, excessive non-academic internet use, particularly social media and gaming, led to distractions and poor academic outcomes. Frequency of internet use for academic purposes was positively correlated with academic success, whereas long-duration internet use had both beneficial and detrimental effects. The study also
found that educational content, such as online forums and interactive learning platforms, contributed to improved academic performance, while entertainment content, such as social media and online gaming, negatively impacted students’ academic focus. Based on the findings, the study recommends that students be encouraged to use the internet primarily for educational purposes, with schools and parents working together to manage non-academic internet activities. Additionally, students should be taught effective time management and study habits to mitigate the negative effects of excessive internet use.