INFLUENCE OF STUDENTS USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS AND THEIR ACADEMIC STUDIES IN PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES IN BAYELSA STATE

ABSTRACT

The study investigates influence of students’ use of social media platforms on their academic studies in public universities in Bayelsa State. The mainpurpose of the study was to investigate the influence of students’ using social media platforms and their academic studies in Niger Delta University, Amassoma and Federal University Otueke, Otueke, Bayelsa State. The study employed the random sampling method of selection of which all members in the population has an equal chance of being selected. The instrument for collecting data for the study was a self-structured questionnaire in which the test re-tests technique was used to determine the reliability of the instrument for the study. The linear regression statistics was used in analysing the data. The findings showed that: The extent of utilization of social media platforms by students in public universities in Bayelsa state amount to an average estimate of 48 hours a week representing 6.9 hours a day which is considered high by the researcher because of the number of activities a student is supposed to handle in a day. Students’ usage of social media significantly predicts students’ personal studies level with a negative coefficient of -.17. Students’ social media usage significantly predicts students’ attitude towards examination with a negative coefficients of -.24. Students’ social media usage significantly predicts their self-efficacy with a negative coefficient of -.12. The study therefore recommends that guidance counsellors should properly guide and encourage the students to moderate the usage of social media and also liaise with management of the schools to embark on public sensitization to teach the students on how to use the social media to their advantage.