IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON STUDENTS ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE (A STUDY OF STUDENTS OF UNIVERSITY OF ABUJA)

Abstract The aim of the study was to analyze the impact of social media on the student’s academic performance [A study of students of University of Abuja]. To achieve this, the survey research method was used. Subjects were drawn from the University of Abuja, using the simple random sampling technique and purposive sampling. Four research questions guided the study. Research findings showed that a great number of students in University of Abuja, had access to the internet. To this end, the researcher recommended that sites should be created for educational purposes as well. This is to create a balance between social networking and academic activities of students to avoid setbacks in the academic performance of the students.
Table of Contents Title Page II Declaration III Certification Page IV Dedication V Acknowledgement VI Table of Content VII List of Table IX Abstract
CHAPTER ONE;  INTRODUCTION  1.1 Background of the Study 1 1.2 Statement of the Problem 5 1.3 Objectives of the Study 5 1.4 Research Question 6 1.5 Scope of the Study 6 1.6 Significance of the Study 6 1.7 Operational Definition of Significant Terms 6   CHAPTER TWO;  LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 Introduction 7 2.2 Review of Concepts 7 2.2.1 The Concept of Mass Media 7 2.2.2The Concept of Internet 12 2.2.3 The Concept of Social Media 15 2.2.4 The Concept of Social Networking Site or Services 17 2.3 Review of Related Studies 22 2.4 Theoretical Framework 24 2.5 Summary 27
CHAPTER THREE; METHODOLOGY  3.1 Introduction 28 3.2 Research Design 28 3.3 Population of the Study 28 3.4 Sampling Technique/ Sampling 29 3.5 Description of the Research Instrument 29 3.6 Validity of Data Gathering Instrument 30 3.7 Method of Data Collection 30 3.8 Method of Data Analysis 31
CHAPTER FOUR;  DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS  4.1 Introduction 32 4.2 Data Presentation and Analysis 32 4.3 Discussion of Findings 33   CHAPTER FIVE;  SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 5.1 Introduction 47 5.2 Summary of Findings 47 5.3 Conclusion 47 5.4 Recommendations 48 5.5 Suggestion for Further Studies 48 Reference 49 Appendix A 53 Appendix B 54   List of Tables  Demographic Data Tables  Table 1; Demographic Data on Sex 32 Table 2; Age Distribution 33 Table 3; Department 33 Table 4; Level 34 Table 5; Type of student 34 Table 6; Access to computer, BB chat and Nokia phone 35 Table7; Access to the internet 35 Table 8; Aware of social networking site 36 Table 9; What are the social networking sites you know 36 Table10; Which do you have access to 37 Table 11; Which do you prefer 37 Table 12; Why do you prefer it 38 Table 13; If not, why 38 Table 14; Where do you browse 39 Table 15; How often do the student of university of Abuja go online 40 Table 16; How many hours do you spend online 40 Table 16; What do you browse for 41 Table 18; What satisfaction do you get from surfing the net 42 Table 19; Can social media influence the academic performance of students 42 Table 20; How does social media influence your academic performance 43   INTRODUCTION Modern Technology in communication no doubt has turned the entire world into a “Global Village”. But as it is, technology like two sides of a coin, bring with it both the negative and positive sides. It helps people to be better informed, enlightened, and keeping abreast with world developments. Technology exposes mankind to a better way of doing things.
The world’s first commercial space communication company created by the United State Congress in 1962 was the communication satellite corporation (COMSAT). In 1964, the United State Government and eleven (11) foreign Nations signed a space communication pact. The partnership was known as “International Telecommunication Satellite Organization (INTELSAT).
The internet known as the worlds “Information Super Highway” is a worldwide assemblage of Inter- Connected Computer Networks (Andrew, 2005).
In the view of Paul (2010, p.301), internet is a massive “network of networks”, a networking infrastructure which connects millions of computers together globally, forming a network in which any computer can communicate with each other as long as they are both connected to internet. The network consist of local area network (LAN), connecting computers in the same building while wide area network (WANs) connecting several LANs in different locations. It connects both private, commercial, Government and Academic network including a grown number of home computer. (Retrieved November 3rd 2012) www.webopedia.com/Did you know/internet/2002/web-vs.-internet-asp).
According to Andrew (2005, p.284), “Information travels over the internet through a variety of language known as “Protocols”. The term “internet” is actually a short form for “internet networks”, which implies that internet is a network of computer networks. Computer accepts data, process it, stores it and give it out when required. It became possiblefor people to chat from ‘terminals’ which led to networking. A line is the part along which resources flow, while a Node is the point where lines intersect transferring resources to new lines.