THE INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON ANCHOR UNIVERSITY

STUDENTS

BY

AINETOR EUNICE ESENOSELUMEN

(AUL/SMS/21/00830)

JANUARY, 2024

I
 THE INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON ANCHOR

UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

BY

AINETOR EUNICE ESENOSELUMEN

(AUL/SMS/21/00830)

A PROJECT SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF MASS

COMMUNICATION, FACULTY OF SOCIAL AND MANAGEMENT
SCIENCES, ANCHOR UNIVERSITY, AYOBO, LAGOS, NIGERIA IN
PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF THE
DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (B.Sc.)
IN MASS COMMUNICATION.

JANUARY, 2021

II
DECLARATION

I hereby declare that this project entitled, “The Influence of Social Media on Anchor
University Students”, is a record of a research work conducted by me and it has not
been previously presented as a requirement for an award of diploma or degree in any
institution. All source of information are specifically acknowledged with references.

-------------------------------- ---------------------------------
AINETOR EUNICE ESE

AUL/SMS/21/00830

III
CERTIFICATION

This is to certify that AINETOR EUNICE ESENOSELUMEN with the matriculation

number AUL/SMS/21/00830 carried out this project at the Department of Mass
Communication, Anchor University, Lagos, Lagos state, Nigeria under our
supervision.

Prof. O. S. Oyero
PROJECT SUPERVISOR SIGNATURE AND DATE

Prof. O. S. Oyero
H EAD OF DEPARTMENT SIGNATURE AND DATE

IV
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
COVER i

TITLE ii

DECLARATION iii

CERTIFICATION iv

TABLE OF CONTENTS v

DEDICATION……………………………………………………………………….vi

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS………………………………………………………...vii

LIST OF TABLES…………………………………………………………………viii

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION………………………………….…………...1

1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE TUDY………………………………………………..2

1.2 STATEMENT TO THE PROBLEM……………………………………………..3
1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY…………………………………………………4
1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY………………………………………………5
1.5 SCOPE OF THE STUDY…………………………………………………………6
1.6 LIMITATIONS TO THE STUDY………………………………………………..7
1.7 OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS…………………………………….8

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW……………………………………..7

2.1 INTRODUCTION………………………………………………………………..7
2.2 THE EMPIRICAL REVIEW…………………………………………………….8
2.3 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK……………………………………………...13
2.4 GAP TO FILL…………………………………………………………………..14

CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY…………………………………………15

3.1 RESEARCH DESIGN…………………………………………………………...15

3.2 STUDY POPULATION…………………………………………………………16
3.3 SAMPLE SIZE…………………………………………………………………..16
3.4 SAMPLING TECHNIQUE……………………………………………………...16
3.5 INSTRUMENT FOR DATA COLLECTION…………………………………...17
3.6 PROCEDURE FOR DATA COLLECTION…………………………………….17
3.7 METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION…………………………………………..17

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CHAPTER FOUR: DATA ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION………………18

4.1 INTRODUCTION………………………………………………………………18
4.2 DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS…………………………………..29
4.3 DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS………………………………………………….30
4.4 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS…………………………………………………….32

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND

RECOMMENDATIONS…………………………………………………………..33
5.1 SUMMARY……………………………………………………………………..33
5.2 CONCLUSION………………………………………………………………….34
5.3 RECOMMENDATION………………………………………………………….34
5.4 SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH………………………………..34

REFERENCES……………………………………………………………………..35
APENDIX …………………………………………………………………………..36

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DEDICATION

This work is dedicated to God Almighty, God the son and God the Holy Spirit who
brought me to Anchor University Lagos.

VII
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

First and foremost, I am filled with gratitude and extend a heartfelt thank you to the
Divine for bestowing upon me the strength and guidance to successfully complete this
project. It is through the grace of God, the unwavering support of Jesus, and the
wisdom of the Holy Spirit that I have accomplished this significant undertaking.

Moving on to the human aspect, I am deeply indebted to the individuals who have
played pivotal roles in helping me achieve this remarkable feat.

I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Professor Oyero, for his valuable
guidance and insights into the world of research. His expert guidance, unwavering
support, and provision of the necessary tools and resources have been instrumental in
shaping my understanding of research principles and procedures.

In addition, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to my beloved parents, Mr. and Mrs.

Ainetor, whose unwavering encouragement and support instilled in me the belief that
no goal is unattainable. Their love, understanding, and constant motivation have been
the driving force behind my accomplishments.

I would also like to express my gratitude to my friends and course mates, whose
unwavering support, valuable discussions, and collaborative efforts have enriched my
educational journey. Their presence, insights, and camaraderie have made the pursuit
of knowledge more enjoyable and fulfilling.

Furthermore, I am grateful to all the participants who willingly contributed their time
and insights to this research study. Their cooperation and willingness to share their
experiences have greatly enriched the findings of this project.

I would also like to acknowledge the entirety of the academic and administrative staff
at Anchor University for providing a conducive learning environment and equipping
me with the essential tools required for my academic success.

Lastly, my sincerest appreciation goes out to all those who, in one way or another,
have directly or indirectly contributed to the successful completion of this endeavor.
Your belief in me and your continued support have been invaluable

VIII
LIST OF TABLES

TABLE 1.1 GENDER OF RESPONDENTS……………………………………..19

TABLE 1.2 AGE OF RESPONDENTS…………………………………………..19
TABLE 1.3 LEVEL OF RESPONDENTS……………………………………….20
TABLE 1.4 FACULTY OF RESPONDENTS……………………………………20
TABLE 1.5 QUESTION 1 ANALYSES…………………………………………..21
TABLE 1.6 QUESTION 2 ANALYSES…………………………………………..21
TABLE 1.7 QUESTION 3 ANALYSES…………………………………………..22
TABLE 1.8 QUESTION 4 ANALYSES…………………………………………..22
TABLE 1.9 QUESTION 5 ANALYSES…………………………………………..23
TABLE 2.0 QUESTION 7 ANALYSES…………………………………………..24
TABLE 2.1 QUESTION 8 ANALYSES…………………………………………..24
TABLE 2.2 DECLARATION 1 ANALYSES…………………………………….25
TABLE 2.3 DECLARATION 2 ANALYSES……………………………………25
TABLE 2.4 DECLARATION 3 ANALYSES……………………………………26
TABLE 2.5 DECLARATION 4 ANALYSES……………………………………26

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 CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

Today Social media is widely used in every sector of life especially among young
adults and teenagers within this categories are found the students of Anchor
University Lagos. Social media has been defined as a computer-based technology that
facilitate the sharing of ideas, thoughts and information through the building of virtual
network and communities. In my own definition social media is term that describes
various technological medium of interaction, communication, collaboration and
networking such include Facebook, Whatsapp, LinkedIn and Instagram.
It originating as only a tool of communication but later evolved to support other
functions. Now the educational sectors can adopt social media platforms as a learning
tool, creating virtual communities on the internet to communicate and connect with
the students, this was very useful especially in the Covid-19 break, social media was a
saving instrument for most schools to continue their learning activities. However
despite the positive effect of social media, through current studies it has a high
amount of negative effect on the students study habits or attitudes, patterns of
behaviour towards their academics. Through social media students acquire vices that
affect them negatively in their studies, according to various articles this includes:
Addiction to social media, depression caused by exposure to wrong and sad content,
Distraction and so many others. It takes discipline for a student to avoid being
affected by the use of social media that is why it is important for the institution, staff
to encourage them to study more and spend lesser time on their devices.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Social media involves electronic based medias of communication, this includes

various platforms for socialization, networking, communication etc. Example of this
platforms are Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Tiktok, LinkedIn and others.
Social media is very important to the society considering that the world as
transformed from analog to digital, it allows people to connect no matter the location

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their thereby bridging the gap between boundaries, geographical area and states.
Marketers make use of it to advertise their businesses, professional adopts this
platform to display their skills, schools like the secondary schools, universities use it
for their learning activities ‘E-learning’ and the youths (teenagers, university students)
use the advantage of social media to create profiles, chat and make friends with
different people online.

The problem to be stated is that social media with all its advantage pose a threats to
the academic pursuit of students, it makes students waste their time on chatting with
pals on Facebook messenger, watching videos on YouTube, scrolling thorough post
on Instagram, viewing status update of contacts on Whatsapp, it also causes addiction,
depression and a lot more. All this effect in a long run will go and affect the students
academic performance.

This study seeks to know if the effect of social media is also applicable to Anchor
University students and aims at advocating students to spend less hours on social
media and spend more time to study encouraging discipline.

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

Everything carried out in life must have an objective a purpose. With objectives the
project would be set to accomplish its status quot.

The main objective of the study is to detect the Influence of Social media on the
students of Anchor University Lagos.

Other objectives listed includes the following:

1. To know the popular social media platforms used by Anchor University Students.

2. To know the extent at which social media influence the students (Anchor
University Students) study habit positively.

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3. To know the extent at which social media negatively influence the students
(Anchor University Student) study habit.

4. To know how many hours student spend on social media versus their studies in
order to detect its effect.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

For the purpose of this study, the following questions have been raised and will be
answered through the study:
I. What is most frequently used social media networks among the students of Anchor
University Lagos?
II. The Time spent (usage) of Social Media by the student is it qualified compared to
their studies?

III. To what extent has the Social Media positively impacted the students study
habits?

IV. To what extent has the Social Media negatively Influenced the students
academics?

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The importance of this study cannot be over-emphasized, it is as a result of the

phenomenon “social media”, which refers to the combination of various electronical
tools that is emersely used by so many people in the world for different purposes. The
institution (Anchor University), other private institutions, Governmental and Non-
Governmental organizations.

Furthermore, this study is set to promote a good study habits among the students of
Anchor University through the dialogue questions which is included in the
questionnaire and for declaration for a change. With this students are encouraged to
do better and reduce their usage of social media to fully concentrate on their studies.

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Finally, it can also be a reference point for future researcher in the university and
beyond.

1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study dwells on the influence of social media on the students of Anchor
University. This is to check both the positive and negative effect of social media on
the students attitude or behaviour towards their studies (Academics).

This research will thus examine the impact of social media on the study habits of
students in Anchor University, including Male and Female. Unfortunately the study
couldn’t reach out to the staffs of the university as a result of limited time.

The geographical location of this study is Anchor University and it will not exceed it
because the study deals with the population of Anchor University.

In regards to the study, it has been a popular perception that social media affect
students studies negatively but even with that social media has a lot of advantage
towards students academic growth, so therefore with this study we will be able to
know how much social media impacts the students, “positively or negatively”

Finally, the researcher of this study seeks for balance explaining both the negative and
positive effect of social media on the students without being biased and through the
questionnaire administered to the students the result will be collated.

1.7 LIMITATIONS TO THE STUDY

The researcher made effort to bring out more evidences of the effects of social media
on the students study habits either positively or negatively but due to the limited
response from the questionnaire in Google form administered to all Anchor university

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students through the school mail. It is also observed that most of the respondent where
in a rush and could not take enough time to give a proper answers.

Finally, another limitation to the study cut across it’s relevance which is only in
confines or context of the university and its students.

1.8 OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS

1. Social Media: The term “social media” (SM) was first used in 1994 on a Tokyo
online media environment, called Matisse. It was in these early days of the
commercial Internet that the first SM platforms were developed and launched. Over
time, both the number of SM platforms and the number of active SM users have
increased significantly, making it one of the most important applications of the
Internet.
Social media refers to Internet-based applications that enable users to create, share,
and interact with content in virtual communities and networks. It facilitates mass-
personal communication, supporting interactions and perceptions in various forms,
(Kaplan and Haenlein 2010, p. 61).

2. Influence: According to the oxford dictionary “Influence is the capacity to have an

effect on the character, development, or behaviour of someone or something, or the
effect itself. Social media has influence students study habits either negative or
positively”.

3. Study habits: Study habit is an action such as reading,taking notes, holding study
groups which the students perform regularly and habitually in order to accomplish the
task of learning. Study habits can be described as effective or ineffective depending
upon whether or not they serve the students well. Social media impacts students study
habits. It make them lazy and distracted and which can result to having an ineffective
study habit.

4. Distractions: Distractions refer to elements or stimuli that divert an individual's

attention away from their primary task or focus. In the context of this research study,

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distractions may include various factors that interfere with students' concentration on
academic activities, potentially impacting their study habits and performance,
(Koessmeier & Büttner, 2021).

5. Facebook: Facebook is a social media platform that enables users to connect with
friends, share content, and engage in online social interactions. Facebook may serve
as a potential source of distraction for students, influencing their study routines and
behaviors, (Blumler & Katz, n.d.).

6. Whatsapp: WhatsApp is a messaging application that allows users to send text

messages, make voice and video calls, and share media. WhatsApp may play a role in
communication-related distractions, impacting students' focus on academic tasks,
(Chris, n.d.).

7. Tiktok: TikTok is a social media platform known for short-form videos. In the
context of the study, TikTok may represent a form of entertainment and a potential
source of distraction for students, affecting their study habits and time management,

8. YouTube: YouTube is a video-sharing platform where users can upload, view, and
share videos. YouTube might be a source of educational content, but it could also be a
distraction if students spend excessive time on non-academic videos, affecting their
study routines, (Mutiara & Putri, 2023).

9. Communication: Communication, in the context of your study, involves the

exchange of information between individuals. Social media platforms like Facebook,
WhatsApp, TikTok, and YouTube facilitate various forms of communication.
Understanding how students engage in communication on these platforms is essential
to assessing their impact on study habits and academic performance, (Koessmeier &
Büttner, 2021).

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 CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Introduction

Social media is computer-based technology that facilitate the sharing of ideas,

thoughts and information through the building of virtual network and communities. In
my own definition social media is term that describes various technological medium
of interaction, communication, collaboration and networking such include Facebook,
Whatsapp, LinkedIn and Instagram.

Social media Originated as a tool people used mainly to communicate with friends
and family but now it has diverted to serve so many other purposes and interests. Such
includes the interest of businesses who adopt social media platforms to advertise their
products and services to find new customers, The professionals also use social media
to display their professional qualification online. The power of social media is the
ability to connect and share information with anyone on Earth as long as they used the
social media(Icha Oyza and Agwu Edwin, 2015).

The use of social networking websites has increased becoming a global phenomenon
in the past several years. What started as a hobby for some computer literate people
has become a social norm and way of life for people from all over the world (Flad,
2010). Teenagers and young adults have especially embraced these sites as a way to
connect with their peers, share information, reinvent their personalities, and showcase
their social lives, (Belal, 2014). With the increase of technology used for
communicating with others and the popularity of the Internet, "Social Networking"
has become an activity that is done primarily on the Internet, with sites like Myspace,
(Bebo, 2017).

A very good example is Facebook, the most popular social networking website
established by 19 years old college student who earlier did not realize the potentials of
his creation. Mark Zuckerberg, born May 14, 1984, in New York, was a sophomore in

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Harvard University when he stumbled upon this marvelous creation that made him a
millionaire within a few years, (Boyd, 2018)

Facebook has about 500 million monthly active users,It is emerged on February 4,
2004, when a 19-years-old sophomore Harvard student named Mark Zukerberg
founded the revolutionary site to connect Harvard University students (Grossman,
2010). But later, this site allows users to build social networks with hundreds or even
thousands of people around the world of which university students are one of the
primary demographics using Facebook, with features such as photos, wall posts, and
status updates becoming seemingly irresistible to those who want to connect with
their friends, (Hossain, 2017).

This study aims to assess the influence of social media on study habits, encompassing
reading habits, academic performance, and related factors, among Anchor University
students. While employing a qualitative approach to broaden the perspective, this
research focuses on the impact—both positive and negative—of social media on the
respondents' academic endeavors.

The literature review presented below contributes to the comprehensive coverage of

this research project, providing valuable insights into the multifaceted relationship
between social media usage and study habits among university students.

2.2 The Empirical Review

Kaplan & Healein (2010) defines “social media” as a group of internet-based

applications that build on ideoligical foundations of web 2.0 and that allows creation
and exchange if user generated contents. They are web-based service as that allows
individual to construct a public or semi-public profile within a bounded system,
(Boyd and Elison, 2007). Social media allows its users to communicate, share
information (audio, video, visual or written content) with other users in such
platforms.

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Social media platforms are often divided into six categories: Social Networking
sites,Microblogging Platforms, Media Sharing Networks, Discussion Forums,
Blogging Platforms, Messaging Apps, Rates and Opinion Platforms.

These various platform respond to the varying needs of people, some could be for the
hobbyist, others for their work life, students for their school work, for professional (to
build professional profile in platforms such a s LinkedIn), to communicate with
friends and family. People also use social media to reach out to people world wide
who might have similar interest, views on certain subject area of life (political or
others. It can also be suitable to entertainers who find it has a means to engage with
fans, politicians with their voters and finally the government takes advantage of its
ease to pass across information to its citizens.

2.2.1 Types of Social media Platforms

Reviewing an article online there seven types of social media platforms and they are:

Social Networking Sites

These are networking sites designed for users to create profile, connect with friends,
strangers (that may be of value to them or of similar interest/views) and share updates,
photos and videos. Examples: Facebook, LinkedIn, My Space.

Microblogging Platforms

They are platform that allow users to share short updates, often real time. Users can
follow others and engage through comments or shares. Examples: Twitter, Tumblr.

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Discussion Forums

This are types of social media platforms that allows its users to discuss, talk with
others on various topics. People can ask questions and get answers from different
sources an example of this is Quora, Reddit.

Blogging Platforms

These are website that enables to create and publish written content. Users can engage
through comments and shares. Examples are Wordpress, Medium, Blogger.

Messaging Apps

Messaging apps are social app that enables one to have person to person interaction
virtually through text, video, audio. It enables people to share information, ideas,
thought online. Examples: Facebook, Whatsapp, Messenger, Snapchat.

Review and Opinion Platforms

Businesses are the most users of this social platform because through it users can
share opinion, rating and review on product, services or experiences. Examples: Yelp,
Trip Advisor.

Having defined social media and its types, I will go over to discuss the topic of this
project “ The Influence of Social Media”. Social media has a strong influence on
students study habits which will and Anchor University students are not exempted.

This is a clear picture of the level of participation on the social network. However,
technology like two sides of a coin, bring with it both the negative and positive sides.
Ukpong, E. (2019).

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2.2.2 THE POSITIVE INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON STUDENTS
STUDY HABITS

Connectivity
Social media served as a multifaceted tool encompassing communication, information
sharing, and networking. During the COVID-19 pandemic, social media has offered
several platforms for academic collaboration. Academic institutions like secondary
schools, universities adopts social media sites, blogs, apps to aid their learning
activities. Through Social media lecturers can hold lectures and distribute assignments
to students virtually.

Assistance in Studies
The greatest power of social media is getting information on several topics. Social
media provides access to a wide range of educational content and news for enhancing
learning. Millions of students have cleared their doubts by looking for the answers on
the internet.

Mental and Social Well-being

Social Media fosters a personal connection, helping students maintain social ties, even
at a distance. It has definitely maintained if not improved the mental and social well-
being of students. Social media has brought the community of students together in
real-time, wiping off the real-world distance.

Skill Development
Social media often help to encourage skill development and creativity. Many students
learn and explore new skills platforms like YouTube. The platform helps them to find
tutorial courses and resources on various topics, such as coding, art, cooking and
more.
It also helps students to learn new skills, share their creations, and connect with others
who have similar interests.

Career Opportunities

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Social media can be a valuable tool for students who want to explore and pursue
career opportunities. Platform like LinkedIn allow students to connect with industry
professional and keep them updated on job openings and internships. Students can
also showcase their achievements, projects, and skills on social media, which can
attract the attention of potential employers or collaborators.

Adapted from (K.R.MANGALAM World School Gurgaon, “The Positive Influence

of Social Media on Students”

2.2.3 THE NEGATIVE INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON STUDENTS

STUDY HABITS

Distraction
It is observed that students are intensively exposed to social media, and it can take
away the students attention from his/her studies. (Junco, 2012 explains that “Students
often succumb to distractions on social media, spending excessive time scrolling
through feeds instead of studying”.

Addiction
Students often develop addictive habits with social media, particularly platforms like
Facebook. This addiction can lead to late-night browsing, exposing them to a wide
range of content. Unfortunately, prolonged exposure to such content may influence
students' behaviors negatively. They might come across behaviors depicted on social
media, such as engagement with pornography, masturbation, smoking, and other
lifestyle choices. This exposure in a long run would affect their studies.

Depression
According to American Psychiatric Institute “Depression (major depressive disorder)
is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way
you think and how you act. Fortunately, it is also treatable. Depression causes feelings
of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed. It can lead to a

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variety of emotional and physical problems and can decrease your ability to function
at work and at home”. Students excessive exposure to social media often stems from
seeking social connection. However, this heightened exposure may result in feelings
of loneliness or inadequacy, contributing to the development depression. As a
consequence, individuals experiencing depression may struggle to focus on their
studies, exhibiting reduced concentration, lack of interest, and imbalances I their
academic performance."

Wrong Information/Misconception
Students often encounter inaccurate or confusing ideas frequently on the internet,
particularly on platforms like Facebook. These websites have gained a reputation for
disseminating false or misleading information. Due to the ease of sharing content on
Facebook, users often unknowingly share fabricated or incorrect information.
Consequently, an increasing number of people start believing things that are simply
not true. As a result of this the student studies are negatively influenced.

2.3 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

In this research two theories are adapted Uses and Gratification theory and Time
displacement theory because it help us understand how social media affects students'
study habits.

The first theory is called the Uses and Gratification Theory (UGT).
This theory explains how people choose and use media (like social media) to fulfill
their specific needs. For example, some people use social media to develop their
identity, build relationships, or find humor. This theory also looks at how our social
and psychological factors influence our use of media.

When it comes to social media and study habits, we want to understand how using
social media for different needs affects students' studying. Are they spending more

22
time on social media instead of studying? How does using social media impact their
academic pursuits?

The second theory is the Time Displacement Theory. This theory says that we have
limited time and attention. If we spend time on one activity (like using social media),
we take away time from another activity (like studying). So, if students spend a lot of
time on social media, it might take time away from their studying.

In terms of study habits, we want to investigate how using social media more often
might affect students' academic efforts. Does spending more time on social media
make it harder to study? Are students sacrificing their academic pursuits because they
spend too much time on social media?

By studying these two theories, we can learn more about the relationship between
social media usage and students' study habits.

2.4 GAP TO FILL

Researchers have looked at how social media affects different parts of people's lives,
but there's still a lot we don't know about how it specifically impacts the studying
habits of students at Anchor University. Previous studies have mostly focused on the
general population or specific social media platforms, without really understanding
the complex relationship between social media use and academic performance among
students like those at Anchor University.

This study wants to bridge that gap by exploring the specific ways social media is
used by students, why they use it (based on a theory called Uses and Gratification),
and how it might take away time from studying (according to the Time Displacement
Theory). The researchers want to see if these theories apply to students at Anchor
University, and if social media affects their daily routines and academic
responsibilities. By doing this research, they hope to better understand how social
media use and studying habits are connected for students at Anchor University.

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 CHAPTER THREE

METHODOLOGY

This chapter presents the method used for this study. It explains and presents the
research design, study population and the techniques used to select the sample. The
chapter also provides information on data gathering and analysis.

3.1 RESEARCH DESIGN

The design of the study was Descriptive Survey Design. Descriptive survey research
is an approach of descriptive research that blends quantitative and qualitative data to
provide you with relevant and accurate information. A time-efficient research method,
descriptive survey design engages the people at the center of the research objective.

3.2 STUDY POPULATION

A population is the universe of the study. It is the entire numerical constitute of the
entity within which all the subjects of the study are found. Population is also the
totality of the subjects of the study.

The study population of this study is the students of Anchor University Lagos. The
population of Anchor University is over one thousand, six hundred (1,600 +), as a
result of security consciousness of the school the actual number was not revealed and
so the particular number of male and female out of the population is not confirmed.

3.3 SAMPLE SIZE

The sample size for this study was determined using a systematic sampling approach.
The population size (N) was 1,600, and the desired sample size (n) was set at 100.

24
The sampling interval (SI) was calculated using the formula SI = N / n, resulting in a
value of 16.

Systematic sampling is a type of probability sampling method in which sample

members from a larger population are selected according to a random starting point
but with a fixed, periodic interval. This interval, called the sampling interval, is
calculated by dividing the population size by the desired sample size, (Hayes, 2007).

3.4 SAMPLING TECHNIQUE

In order to obtain a representative sample from the population of 1,600 students, a

systematic sampling approach was employed. The systematic sampling method
involves selecting every kth member from the population after choosing a random
starting point. The key steps in implementing this sampling technique were as
follows:

1. Determine Sampling Interval (SI): The sampling interval (SI) was calculated using
the formula SI = Population size / Desired sample size. For this study, the calculated
sampling interval was 16.

Calculation
N= 1,600, n=100.

1,600/100=16

2. Random Start: A random starting point was chosen between 1 and the sampling
interval. This starting point served as the initial selection in the systematic sampling
process.

Number 4 was randomly selected

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3. Select Sample: Starting from the randomly chosen point, every 16th member of the
population was systematically selected to form the sample. This process ensured a
systematic and unbiased representation of the entire population.

Adding 16 to each variable starting from the randomly selected number

4. Continue Until Sample Size is Reached: The systematic selection continued until
the desired sample size of 100 was reached.

Final result was achieved

(4+16=20+16=36+16=52+16=68+16=84+16+100)

3.5 INSTRUMENT OF DATA COLLECTION

The data collection for the students is a structured questionnaire designed via Google
form that is divided into four sections, section one: respondents personal details,
section two includes the main questions, section three: 4 declaration as a call of action
against the negative influence of social media on the students study habit and finally
in section four the researcher gave her final remarks and appreciation.

3.6 PROCEDURE FOR DATA COLLECTION

The researcher administered the instrument which is the questionnaire on students of

Anchor University from different levels.

3.7 METHOD OF DATA ANALYSIS

The researcher due to lack of deeper knowledge of data analysis, used a simple
manual method to analyse the data collected from questionnaire.

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 CHAPTER FOUR

DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

4.1 INTRODUCTION

This chapter presents the results derived from the data collected. The data gathered
were presented in tables and accomplished with their analysis. The discussions of
findings are done based on the findings drawn from the analysis of the content.

The qualitative method was used for analyzing the data gathered. The sample size,
100 students from Anchor University Lagos. 100 questionnaires were initially
distributed to the school mail but due to personal constraints, 70 students responded,
and the responses were gathered and analyzed.

4.2. DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

The questionnaire distributed to the students were structured into four sections which
includes the demography which section one, section two includes the main questions
drawn from the research questions in chapter one and the final section, unique in
nature is four declaration indicating the students support against the negative
influence of social media.

SECTION 1: DEMOGRAPHIC DATA OF THE RESPONDENTS

4.2.1 GENDER

The study revealed that 57.7% of our respondents were female and a 42.3% were
male.

27
Table 1.1 GENDER OF RESPONDENTS

Category Frequency Percentage

Male 40 57.7%

Female 30 42.3%

Total 70 100%

4.2.2 AGE

The study revealed that 37% of the respondents were below 18. This was followed by
54% which come from the range of 18-21, 7% of those in the range of 21-25 and 1%
in the range of 25-30.

Table 1.2 AGE OF THE RESPONDENTS

Category Frequency Percentage

Below 18 26 37%
18-21 38 54%
21-25 5 7%
25-30 1 1%
Total 70 100%

4.2.3 LEVEL

Based on the study, 30% of our respondents were 100 level. After this followed 200
level which were 39%, 19% for 300 level, 11% for 400 level and 1% for staff out of
70 respondents.

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Table 1.3 LEVEL OF RESPONDENTS

Category Frequency Percentage

100 Level 21 30%
200 Level 27 39%
300 Level 13 19%
400 Level 8 11%
Staff 1 1%
Total 70 100%

4.2.4 FACULTY

The study revealed that 51% of the respondents were from the faculty of FNAHS,
29% from the FHSMS and 20% in FSSE.

Table 1.4 FACULTY OF RESPONDENTS

Category Frequency Percentage

FNAHS 36 51%

FHSMS 20 29%

FSSE 14 20%

Total 70 100%

4.2.5 Research question 1

What is most frequently used social media networks among the students of
Anchor University Lagos and their purpose of usage? Question one and two
were drawn out of this research question.

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Question 1: Which Social Media Platform do you often use?

Table 1.5 QUESTION 1 ANALYSES

Category Frequency Percentage

YouTube 42 60%
Instagram 35 50%
Facebook 27 39%
Tiktok 17 24%
Twitter 15 21%
Whatsapp 38 54%

Total 70 100%

Question 2: What do you often use social media for?

Table 1.6 QUESTION 2 ANALYSES

Category Frequency Percentage

To chat with friends 18 26%
The gather information 22 31%
during study session
For browsing to pass time 7 10%
For leisure hours 23 33%
Total 70 100%

30
4.2.6 Research Question 2

The Time spent (usage) of Social Media by the student is it qualified compared to
their studies? With this research question, question 3,4 were analyzed.

Question 3: How many hours do you spend studying per day?

Table 1.7 QUESTION 3 ANALYSES

Category Frequency Percentage

1-5 hours 40 57%

6-10 hours 25 36%

11-12 hours 5 7%

Total 70 100%

Question 4: How many hours do you spend on social media per day?

Table 1.8 QUESTION 4 ANALYSES

Category Frequency Percentage

1-5 hours 26 29%

6-10 hours 24 34%

11-12 hours 20 37%

Total 70 100%

31
4.2.7 Research Question 3

To what extent has the Social Media positively impacted the students study
habits?

In regards to research question 3, question 5 of the questionnaire is presented

and analyzed.

Question 5: Has Social Media positively influenced your Academic pursuit?

TABLE 1.9 QUESTION 5 ANALYSES

Category Frequency Percentage

Yes 61 87%
No 9 13%
Total 70 100%

Question 6: Based on the previous question, In details describe how social media
has positively influenced your academic pursuit?

This was an open ended question and according to the response of the students. Many
of them affirmed that social media has helped them in their academics and few of
them response were negative to the question.

4.2.8 Research Question 4

To what extent has the Social Media negatively Influenced the students
academics?

Question 7,8,9

Question 7: Has Social Media influenced your Academics negatively?

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Table 2.0 QUESTION 7 ANALYSES

Category Frequency Percentage

Yes 38 54%
No 32 46%
Total 70 100%

Question 8: How often do you get distracted with social media while studying?

Table 2.1 QUESTION 8 ANALYSES

Category Frequency Percentage

Always 2 3%
Often 11 16%
Sometimes 34 49%
Rarely 17 24%
Never 6 9%
Total 70 100%

4.2.8 Call for Action

It is believed that when detecting a challenge solutions must be installed. When see a
problem you must seek for solutions. There are ways to balance our academics and
usage of social media.

Social media is very important in our life's and we cannot give it away but the
distracting part of it is what bring about the issue both this issue can be solved.

In the questionnaire the researcher adopted a unique approach by constructing four

declaration to tackle the negative effect of social media. The response of the students
towards the declaration is analyzed.

33
4.2.9 The Four Declarations

Declaration 1

“Understanding the importance of reducing social media usage for effective studying,
I commit to reducing the time I spend on social media each day”.

Table 2.2 DECLARATION 1 ANALYSES

Category Frequency Percentage

Strongly Disagree 2 3%
Disagree 3 4%
Neutral 29 20%
Agree 34 49%
Strongly Agree 11 16%
Total 70 100%

Declaration 2

“ To enhance my study effectiveness, I advocate studying in environments that

minimize social media distractions. I commit to exploring places such as the Library
and quiet study area to achieve this”.

Table 2.3 DECLARATION 2 ANALYSES

Category Frequency Percentage

Strongly Disagree ----- ----

Disagree 6 8.6%

Neutral 19 27.1%

Agree 30 42.9%

Strongly Agree 15 21.4%

Total 70 100%

34
Declaration 3

"To avoid distractions while studying will endeavour to always turn off social media
notifications during study sessions”.

Table 2.4 DECLARATION 3 ANALYSES

Category Frequency Percentage

Strongly Disagree --- ---

Disagree 1 1.4%

Neutral 14 20%

Agree 35 50%

Strongly Agree 20 28.6%

Total 70 100%

Declaration 4

"To foster concentration during study sessions, I will actively participate in focused
study groups.

Table 2.5 DECLARATION 4 ANALYSES

Category Frequency Percentage

Strongly Disagree --- ---
Disagree 3 4.3%
Neutral 27 38.6%
Agree 24 34.3%
Strongly Agree 16 22.9%
Total 70 100%

35
4.3 Discussion of Findings

4.3.1 Research Question 1

What is most frequently used social media networks among the students of
Anchor University Lagos and their purpose of usage?

This is line with Yoon (2000) who says that the type of Social media or network
subscribed to by a student exert him or her to visit the net. This is to say that not all
social media platform are of interest to the students, but they are peculiar media
channel that attracts them.

Based on my research it is discovered that YouTube is mostly used by students. For

the positive, to gain knowledge on information concerning their school works, career
and others.
It is also a form of entertainment were students can watch entertaining videos such as
comedy, skit, short films, movies..etc.

4.3.2 Research Question 2

The Time spent (usage) of Social Media by the student is it qualified compared to
their studies?

Yang (2003) asserted that the effect of Social media depends or the degree of usage.
The amount of time spent by the students on their social account determines its effect.

From the data collected, it was discovered that many students at Anchor University
are successful in balancing their academic duties and their involvement in social
media. This suggests that they can perform well in school even if they allocate a
significant amount of time to social media.

36
4.3.3 Research Question 3

To what extent has the Social Media positively impacted the students study
habits?

Social media has become an integral part of students' daily lives, presenting both
advantages and challenges in the academic realm. Young (2000) observed that
students nowadays heavily rely on the internet for accessing information related to
their academic life and entertainment. The researcher also emphasized that even
though using the internet can be time-consuming, it does not significantly hinder
students' studies. Multiple studies have highlighted the positive effects that social
media has on students' academic performance, engagement, and learning outcomes.

One significant advantage is the improved communication and collaboration

facilitated by platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. These platforms allow
students to easily connect with their peers, form study groups, and effortlessly share
resources, regardless of geographical barriers. For instance, Kabilan et al. (2010)
found that students who actively participated in online discussions and collaborative
activities through social media experienced enhanced academic performance.

Additionally, social media platforms serve as valuable tools for sharing information
and resources. Researchers such as Junco, Heiberger, and Loken (2011) discovered
that students who use Twitter for academic purposes tend to achieve higher grades,
indicating that Microblogging platforms are effective for quickly accessing relevant
information and engaging in academic discussions.

Moreover, social media plays a role in promoting self-directed learning. Students

often utilize platforms such as YouTube and LinkedIn to access educational content,
tutorials, and industry insights. A study conducted by Dabbagh and Kitsantas (2012)
demonstrated how incorporating social media into one's learning process increases
autonomy and motivation in academic pursuits.

37
While it is important to acknowledge potential downsides like distractions and
information overload, when used wisely, social media becomes a valuable tool for
students to enhance their educational experience.

4.3.4 Research Question 4

To what extent has the Social Media negatively Influenced the students
academics?

According to Jeong (2005), the negative influence of the internet is primarily limited
to excessive users rather than all users.

In the study, it was found that a small number of students experienced negative effects
on their academic pursuits due to excessive social media usage.

4.4 Summary of Findings

The findings of this research study shed light on the impact of social media on
students' academic performance at Anchor University Lagos. The study addressed
several research questions to explore various aspects of social media usage among
students.

Regarding the first research question, it was discovered that YouTube is the most
frequently used social media platform among students. They utilize it for both
educational purposes, such as accessing information related to their schoolwork and
career paths, and for entertainment, including comedy skits, short films, and movies.

The second research question focused on determining how students' social media
usage affects their studies. The data collected indicated that many students at Anchor
University are successful in balancing their academic responsibilities and their
involvement in social media. This suggests that they are able to perform well
academically, even when they allocate a significant amount of time to social media.

The third research question examined the positive impact of social media on students'
study habits. Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram contribute

38
to improved communication and collaboration among students. These platforms
enable students to connect with peers, form study groups, and easily share resources.
Additionally, platforms like Twitter have been found to enhance academic
performance, providing quick access to relevant information and facilitating academic
discussions. Moreover, social media supports self-directed learning, as students can
access educational content and industry insights through platforms like YouTube and
LinkedIn.

Lastly, the fourth research question investigated the negative influence of social
media on students' academics. The study's findings aligned with previous research,
indicating that the negative impact of excessive social media usage primarily affects a
small number of students. It is important to note that most students do not experience
significant negative effects on their academic pursuits due to social media usage.

These findings highlight the complex relationship between social media and students'
study habits (academic performance). While there are potential downsides such as
distractions and information overload, when used wisely, social media can provide
valuable resources, enhance communication and collaboration, and support self-
directed learning for students.

39
 CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 SUMMARY

In recent years, the widespread use of social networking sites and blogs has
dramatically transformed the way people communicate and collaborate online. This
chapter provides an overview of how these online tools and utilities have reshaped
communication patterns and behaviors, particularly among today's young generations,
often referred to as millennials. These individuals, especially teenagers and young
adults, have embraced technology in innovative ways, leading to significant changes
in their thinking, work habits, and communication styles during their formative years.
However, an unintended consequence of this shift is that many youths have become
technology addicts, often displaying introverted tendencies (Rather, 2021).

5.2 CONCLUSION

While social media has its drawbacks, such as privacy concerns and distractions that
can interfere with students' academic work and productivity, it also offers various
benefits. These platforms allow students to form online communities to plan projects,
engage in group discussions about course material, and facilitate communication
between lecturers and students, even for those who may be absent from school.

5.3 RECOMMENDATIONS

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are proposed:

I. Government Should Establish Policies on Students' Exposure to Social Media:

There is a need for government bodies to develop policies that address students'
exposure to social media. These policies should aim to strike a balance between
leveraging the benefits of social media for educational purposes while mitigating the
negative effects it can have on students' academic performance.

40
II. Encouraging Academic Excellence through Incentives:
Government authorities, universities, and well-established individuals should consider
rewarding successful students by offering scholarship schemes and other incentives.
This can promote a culture of hard work and dedication among students, encouraging
them to prioritize their studies over excessive social media usage.

III. Promoting a Balanced Approach to Social Media Usage:

Students should be encouraged to reduce their excessive exposure to social media
platforms and pay more attention to their academic responsibilities. Educational
institutions and parents have a role to play in guiding students towards maintaining a
healthy balance between social media usage and academic pursuits.

IV. Self-Discipline and Personal Responsibility:

Students, particularly those aspiring to achieve significant academic success, should
take personal responsibility for managing their social media usage. They should be
aware of the potential negative impacts and strive to exercise self-discipline in order
to prioritize their educational goals.

5.4 SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH

This study provides a foundation for future research on the influence of social media
on students' study habits and academic performance. Further investigation could
explore the specific strategies and interventions that can help students strike a
healthier balance between social media usage and academic commitments.
Additionally, examining the long-term effects of social media on students' educational
and career trajectories would contribute to a deeper understanding of this evolving
landscape.

41
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