Engagement of Social Media by Students of Higher Institutions: Impact on Academic Performance in Delta State

Résumé

The study x-rayed engagement of social media by students of higher institutions and its impact on academic performance. Descriptive research design was used to carry out the study.  Three research questions were raised and three hypotheses were formulated to guide the study.  The population of the study consists of 4,800 students of 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 academic session of graduating and none graduating students of Southern Delta University, Ozoro, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi Uku and Delta State Polytechnic Otefe-Oghara.  The instrument used for the study was validated by experts in business education and measurement and evaluation departments from Delta State University, Abraka.  Cronbach Alpha was used to ascertain the reliability of the instrument which yielded coefficient of 0.82.  A four point response type of Very High Extent (VHE), High Extent (HE), Low Extent (LE), and Very Low Extent (VLE) was employed for research question one and the rating of agreement i.e. Strongly Agree (SA), Agree (A), Disagree (D), and Strongly Disagree (SD) for research question 2 and 3. The research questionnaires contained 41 items used in carrying out the study. Mean and standard deviations were used to answer research questions while z-test was used to test hypotheses at 0.05 of significance.  The findings of the study showed that students visit and use social media excessively daily. It was concluded that excessive use of social media platforms by students of higher institutions affect academic performance in several ways.  It was recommended that institutions of higher learning, faculties and lecturers, should sensitize students on the sets back in performance due to excessive use of social media and that students should set specific time limits for social media use that will not interrupt their lecture and study time among other.