ABSTRACT
This study investigated the impact of social media on the academic performance of secondary school students in English Language. It also ascertained why secondary school students use social media platforms; examined the positive and negative effects social media has on the English Language proficiency of secondary school students; determined how the negative effects of social media on the English Language proficiency of secondary school students can be avoided; and found out if students use social media for educational content or mainly for recreation. To guide the study, four research questions were raised.
The population of the study is 7,084 students in Senior Secondary Schools in Egor LGA, Benin City, Edo State. The sampling technique adopted for this study is the purposive sampling technique, with the sample size amounting to 140 students drawn from 4 Senior Secondary Schools in Egor LGA, Benin City, Edo State. Survey Research Design is the research design adopted for this study. The research instrument used is a questionnaire with a 4-point Likert scale. The method of data analysis deployed is the Descriptive Statistics Method.
The findings of this study show that students use social media to communicate, for entertainment, to access news, and for academic purposes. Positive effects of social media include the availability of language learning resources, which can enhance vocabulary and comprehension skills. Negative effects of social media include the presence of informal slang and its inhibition of students’ ability to maintain focus when studying. It is recommended that students be properly educated on English Language standards and encouraged to use social media in a balanced way. It is also recommended that social media should be integrated into the language learning process to enhance language skills.
