Tag Archives: Social Media

SOCIAL MEDIA AND CHILDREN’S SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON CHILDREN’S SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN KADUNA SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KADUNA STATE

ABSTRACT

The study examined Influence of Social Media on Children’s Social Development in Kaduna South Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Objectively, three research questions were formulated. The survey design was used in the study. The sample size was 152. 152 questionnaires were administered to the respondents and returned answered correctly. So 152 questionnaires were used in the study. The data gathered were analysed using simple percentage frequency and mean. The findings revealed that the types of social media networking sites frequently used by children in Kaduna South Local Government Area of Kaduna State are Facebook, twitter, WhatsApp, YouTube, and messenger; the positive influence of social media on children’s social development in Kaduna South Local Government Area of Kaduna State are that social media platforms encourage children to communicate with peers and family members, which can help improve their written communication skills; social media can help children get connected with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures; social media allows children to showcase their creativity and talents; social media helps children to have access to educational content; children can access research material; children can access tutorial; and that social media can raise awareness about important social issues; the negative influence of social media on children’s social development in Kaduna South Local Government Area of Kaduna State are that social media exposes children to pornography; engaging in academic forums on yahoo reduces rate of understanding; social media can contribute to increased levels of and loneliness among children and adolescents; social media can contribute to increased levels of anxiety and depression among children and adolescents; the use of social media late at night can disrupt sleep patterns in children; excessive time spent on social media may reduce the time children spend on physical activities; and that excessive social media use can be a distraction from schoolwork and academic responsibilities. Based on the findings, conclusion was drawn and recommendations given that parents and teachers should monitor what teenagers and youth of school age are doing with their mobile phones; parents, guidance/teachers should ensure that teenagers and youth exposure to social media is for basically academic purpose.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

The introduction of digital technology into children’s daily life interferes with numerous developmental milestones that kids should reach. Their daily activities are made simpler and more effective by technology. Television, the internet, video games, iPods, iPads, and other entertainment technology have developed so quickly that families are essentially ignorant of the enormous influence and lifestyle changes in their families (Rowan, 2017). Even young children are now able to utilize goods of technical complexity due to the sophistication and simplicity of operation of technology. In the process of learning numerous things, technology brings ease and diversity. Technology that allows for sound and visual stimuli at the same time makes children able to learn many things at a time. Especially since the advent of multifunctional smartphones with more affordable prices has resulted in more people being able to have them, even in certain families, gadgets may have been owned by schoolchildren ranging from elementary to middle and high school, including those who are still under five (Alia Tesa and Irwansyah, 2018).

Social media can have both positive and negative effects on the social and emotional development of children. On the positive side, it provides opportunities for socialization, helping children connect with friends and family, fostering relationships, and allowing for emotional expression. However, it also exposes children to cyberbullying, unrealistic beauty standards, and the fear of missing out, which can lead to negative emotional outcomes such as anxiety and low selfesteem. The impact of social media on the cognitive development of children is multifaceted. While it can offer access to educational content and diverse information sources, excessive screen time and potential distractions can hinder attention spans and academic performance (Kowalski et al. 2018). It’s crucial to strike a balance between utilizing social media for learning and ensuring children do not become overwhelmed by its distractions. Children’s use of social media and their physical development are mostly impacted by screen time and sedentary behavior. A sedentary lifestyle, which can result in health problems including obesity, can be facilitated by prolonged usage of social media. Furthermore, late-night use might interfere with sleep cycles, which has an impact on both physical health and cognitive performance (Lenhart, 2019). Supporting children’s physical development requires promoting physical exercise and sound sleep practices while judiciously regulating screen time. Social media may have an impact on how kids behave. It gives people the confidence to take part in action and advocacy, which helps to advance good social change (Perloff, 2018). However, exposure to harmful content or interactions can lead to risky behaviors. Therefore, it is against the background that the study seeks to examine the influence of social media on children’s development in Kaduna South Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Children all across the world use social media extensively and they play a significant role in children’s daily life. Many kids begin using social media at a young age, which raises questions about whether these platforms are suitable for kids their age and what impact using them could have on their development at a crucial juncture. Children that use social media may run into a variety of hazards. Research indicates that dangers commonly cluster together, worsening with usage and rendering some more vulnerable than others. In practice, such risks might not always be so clearly distinguished. According to research, children frequently come across harmful content such as cyber hate, information about eating disorders, sexual content, and misinformation. A large portion of this content is influenced by algorithm-based recommendation systems that support the way that content is presented to users on social media platforms. Children may also experience unwelcome communication from adults who are not on their friends list or social network, who may pose serious risks by making extortion and exploitation threats. While studies reveals that children are not always aware of the hazards they may encounter or have the abilities to discern the dangers posed by strangers approaching them, children frequently exhibit confidence in their own capacity to handle such risks when forming new relationships online. Children face particular risks at a formative stage of their development through persistent experiences of bullying in social media environments. Experiences of cyberbullying are commonplace and remain among the most reported topics to helplines. Online bullying is a complex phenomenon that brings together many of the risks considered in the study, including harassment, sharing images without consent, and increased vulnerability to harmful content. The combination of risks may also be especially impactful for certain children at key formative stages. Research shows that support needs to be targeted at the most vulnerable and that support from family and peers, as well as school-based programs that support social emotional learning, mentoring, and education on online safety, can play a positive role. Further aspects of the risks considered include the many wide ranging challenges that children face as a result of the commercialized environment of social media. Children encounter issues such as unfair practices, clickbait strategies, and hidden marketing practices that contravene their rights and are not in their best interests. Research shows that children are often ill prepared with low levels of awareness of commercial practices and lack the critical skills to disaggregate marketing content in the context of their experience of social media.

Social media can have some positive effects on child development when used responsibly and in moderation. It’s important for parents and caregivers to guide and monitor a child’s social media usage to ensure these benefits are maximized.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The general objective of the study is to examine the influence of social media on children’s social development in Kaduna South Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The specific objectives are to:

Find out the types of social media networking sites frequently used by children in Kaduna South Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Examine the positive influence of social media on children’s social development in Kaduna South Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Determine the negative influence of social media on children’s social development in Kaduna South Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions guided the study:

What are the types of social media networking sites frequently used by children in Kaduna South Local Government Area of Kaduna State?
What is the positive influence of social media on children’s social development in Kaduna South Local Government Area of Kaduna State?
What is the negative influence of social media on children’s social development in Kaduna South Local Government Area of Kaduna State?

1.5 Significance of the Study

This study is significant to the teachers, parents and students in tertiary institution.

This study will help the teachers to know the impact that social media has on their students in tertiary institution, so as to assist them to enlighten and create awareness to the students in tertiary institution on the possible impact it has on them.

The study is of significance to parents in the sense that they will know the possible effects these social media usage have on their children, so as to serve as watch-dog to their children on the usage of the social networking site.

The study will enable the children so that they will be aware that, apart from the social benefits of this social networking site, using the sites more than necessary will pose possible dangers to their health. It will be relevant in assisting students in tertiary institution in understanding the diversity of social media. It will provide relevance material for researchers undertaking similar research. The study will help researchers with more information on the Impact of social media on children’s social development.

1.6 Scope of the Study

The study covers Kaduna South Local Government Area of Kaduna. As an academic exercise, the study focuses on the influence of social media on children’s social development in Kaduna North Local Government Area of Kaduna. The study also focuses on the types of social media frequently used by children.

1.7 Operational Definitions of Key Terms

Children: Human beings between the ages of 10 and 25 years. They can be referred to as adolescents and Children in content of this study.

Computer: A computer is a machine that receives or stores or process data quickly according to a stored program (Wikipedia, 2020).

ICT: Information and Communication Technology (Wikipedia, 2020).

Influence: Impact or Effect

Media: Are all those media technologies that are intended to reach a large audience by mass communication. “They are messages communicated through a mass medium to a number of people (Webster Dictionary, 2019).

Social Development: Children learning the values, knowledge and skills that enable them to relate to others.

Social Media: Social media are interactive technologies that facilitate the creation, sharing and aggregation of content, ideas, interests, and other forms of expression through virtual communities and networks.

Social Networking Sites: A website where people put information about them and can send to others (Surowiecki, 2005).

Social Media and Academic Pursuits of Students

THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON THE ACADEMIC PURSUITS OF STUDENTS IN TERTIARY INSTITUTION IN KADUNA STATE

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this research study is to examine the influence of Social Media and Academic Pursuit of Students in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Five Research questions guided the study. To achieve this, the descriptive survey research design was adopted. The study focused on Ahmadu Bello University hence, population consists of all the 35,000 students. The simple random sampling technique was used to select a sample of 396 students. A four point Likert Type Rating Scale Questionnaire type, titled: Social Media and Academic Performance of Students Questionnaire (SMAAPOS) was used to collect data from the respondents. The descriptive statistics of frequency counts and percentage, were used to analyze the demographic data. Research findings showed that a great number of students in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, are addicted to social media. To this end, the researcher recommended that social media should be used for educational purposes as well; Social Networking Sites should be expanded and new pages should be created to enhance academic activities and avoid setbacks in the students ’ academic pursuit; and Students should be monitored by teachers and parents on how they use these sites. This is to create a balance between social media and academic activities of students to avoid setbacks in the academic pursuits of the students.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

The improvements in communication technology have broadened the scope of communication through Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). 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 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. Social networking sites include: Twitter, Yahoo Messenger, Facebook Messenger, Blackberry Messenger (BBM), Whatsapp Messenger, 2go messenger, Skype, Google talk, Google Messenger, iPhone and Androids. These networking sites are used by most people to interact with old and new friends, physical or internet friends ( Asemah and Edegoh, 2016). The world has been changed rapidly by the evolution of technology; this has resulted into the use of technology as the best medium to explore the wide area of knowledge.

The evolution of internet technology has led to its use as the best medium for communication. Whereby, two-third of the world’s internet population visits social networking or blogging sites, thus serving as a communication and connection tool. Social networking sites (SNSs) are online Communities of Internet users who want to communicate with other users about areas of mutual interest, whether from a personal, business or academic perspective (William, Boyd, Densten, Chin, Diamond & Morgenthaler 2015). The millions of social networking sites have transformed the thought of global village into a reality whereby billions of people communicate through social networking sites. Numerous benefits have been obtained through distant communication through the use of social networking sites.

Academic pursuit plays an important role in an individual placement, be it in the academic institutions or job placement. Due to this, many students are concerned with the ways they can enhance their academic pursuit in tertiary institution. The emphasis on academic pursuit which is also prevalent worldwide has encouraged many studies about the conditions promoting it. (Kyoshaba, 2015).

Academic pursuits , which is measured by the examination results, is one of the major goals of a school. Hoyle (2018) argued that schools are established with the aim of imparting knowledge and skills to those who go through them and behind all this is the idea of enhancing good academic pursuits .

Academic pursuits of students in tertiary institution is the extent to which a student, teacher or institution has achieved their educational goals. Academic pursuits is commonly measured by examinations or continuous assessment but there is no general agreement on how it is best tested or which aspects are most important, procedural knowledge such as skills or declarative knowledge such as facts (Annie, Howard & Mildred, 2019).

A direct relationship exists between Social media usage and the academic pursuits of students in tertiary institution. However the darker side within technological evolution has resulted in dilemmas such as the setback of real values of life especially among students in tertiary institution who form the majority of users interacting through the use of social networking sites. Online social networking sites focus on building and reflecting social associations among people who share interests and or activities. With so many social networking sites displayed on the internet, students in tertiary institution are tempted to abandon their homework and reading times in preference for chatting online with friends. Many students in tertiary institution are now addicted to the online rave of the moment, with Facebook, Twitter etc.

Today most youths and students in tertiary institution possess Facebook accounts. The reason most of them perform badly in school might not be far- fetched. While many minds might be quick to blame the poor quality of teachers, they might have to think even harder, if they have not heard of the Facebook frenzy (Oche & Aminu .2017). Olubiyi (2016) noted that these days’ students in tertiary institution are so engrossed in the social media that they are almost 24 hours online. Even in classrooms and lecture theatres, it has been observed that some students in tertiary institution are always busy pinging, 2going or Facebooking, while lectures are on. Times that ought be channeled towards learning, academic research and innovating have been crushed by the passion for meeting new friends online, and most times busy discussing trivial issues. Hence most students in tertiary institution’ academics suffer setback as a result of distraction from the social media. In (Obi, Bulus, Adamu & Sala’at 2016), it was observed that the use of these sites also affects students in tertiary institution’ use of English and grammar. The students in tertiary institution are used to short forms of writing words in their chat rooms; they forget and use the same in the classrooms. They use things like 4 in place of for, U in place of You, D in place of The etc. and this could affect their class assessment.

Social networking sites although has been recognized as an important resource for education today, studies however shows that students in tertiary institution use social networking sites such as Facebook for fun, to kill time, to meet existing friends or to make new ones (Ellison, Steinfield, and Lampe 2019). Although it has been put forward that students in tertiary institution spends much time on participating in social networking activities, with many students in tertiary institution blaming the various social networking sites for their steady decrease in grade point averages (Kimberly, Jeong and Lee, 2015), it also shows that only few students in tertiary institution are aware of the academic and professional networking opportunities the sites offered.

According to Kuppuswamy and Shankar (2017), social network websites grab attention of the students in tertiary institution and then diverts it towards non-educational and inappropriate actions including useless chatting. Whereas on the other hand, (Liccardi, Ounnas, Massey, Kinnunen, Midy, & Sakar. 2019) reviewed that the students in tertiary institution are socially connected with each other for sharing their daily learning experiences and do conversation on several topics. Tinto (2020) argued that extracurricular activities and academic activities are not enough to satisfy some students those who are suffered by social networking isolation. This shows that social networks are beneficial for the students in tertiary institution as it contributes in their learning experiences as well as in their academic pursuit. Trusov, Bucklin, & Pauwels (2015) noted that the Internet is no doubt evolution of technology but specifically social networks are extremely unsafe for teenagers, social networks become hugely common and well-known in past few years. According to Cain (2015) social network websites provide ease of connecting people to one another; free of cost and after connecting one can post news, informative material and other things including videos and pictures etc. Wiley and Sisson (2016) argued that the previous studies have found that more than 90% of tertiary school students in tertiary institution use social networks. In the same way Ellison et al (2019) stated that the students in tertiary institution use social networking websites approximately 30 minutes throughout the day as a part of their daily routine life. This statement shows the importance of social networking websites in students’ academic pursuit in tertiary institution. Lenhart and Madden (2019) revealed through a survey that students in tertiary institution strongly recommend social networking websites to stay in touch with friends to keep informed and aware.

Social information processing theory is an interpersonal communication theory which suggests that online interpersonal relationship development might require more time to develop than face-to-face relationships, but when developed, it has the same impact as face-to-face communication. This means, the more students in tertiary institution use social media, the more they impact their disposition to studies, given the fact that friends from social media will begin to exert impact on each other.

1.2 Statement of Problem

The world today is a global market in which the internet is the most important sort of information. Since the advent of social media sites in the 1990s, it is assumed in some quarters that the academic pursuits of students in tertiary institution is facing a lot of neglect and challenges. The educational system in Nigeria is faced with so many challenges which have certainly brought about a rapidly decline in the quality of education. There is a deviation, distraction and divided attention between social networking activities and their academic work. It is observed that students in tertiary institution devote more attention to social media than they do to their studies.

Students in tertiary institution’ addictiveness to social networks, students in tertiary institution’ frequency of exposure to social network, social media network that the students in tertiary institution are more exposed to and the impact of social media as a medium of interaction between students in tertiary institution has been part of discussion in recent times and which have imparted on their academic pursuits . Instead of students in tertiary institution reading their books, they spend their time chatting and making friends via the social media and this might definitely have impact on their academic pursuits , because when you do not read, there is no way you can perform well academically. It is a common sight to see a student chatting in sensitive and highly organized places like church, mosque and lecture venues. Some are so carried away that even as they are walking along the high way, they keep chatting.

The manufacturing and distribution of equally sophisticated cellular phones has complicated the situation, as students in tertiary institution no longer need to visit a cybercafe before they send and receive messages. Attention has been shifted from visible to invisible friends, while important ventures like study and writing might be affected in the process. This phenomenon has become a source of worry to many who believe in knowledge and skill acquisition.

In recent times social media have been a major stay in the minds of students in tertiary institution and the world at large thereby causing a lot of drastic measure by students in tertiary institution, teacher and even educational administrators at large. It is therefore of great importance to explore some of the trending issues facing students in tertiary institution’ academic pursuits as a result of social media. Students in tertiary institution at all levels of learning now have divided attention to studies, as a result of available opportunities to be harnessed from social media. Whether these opportunities promote studies is a question that needs to be answered. Thus, the problem this study investigates is the impact of social media networks on the academic pursuits of the students in tertiary institution in Kaduna State.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The main objective of this study generally is to examine The Impact of Social Media on the Academic Pursuits of Students in Tertiary Institution in Kaduna State.

Specifically, the study seeks to:

Examine the level of student addictiveness to social media and the impact on theiracademic pursuits.
Determine the social media network that the students in tertiary institution are more exposed to and theimpact on their academic pursuits.
Ascertain how the use of social media has impact the academic pursuits of thestudents in tertiary institution in Kaduna State.
Ascertain the difference in students in tertiary institution’ usage of social media network by gender.
Ascertain how age has impact on students in tertiary institution’ usage of social media network.

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions were raised;

To what extent would student addictiveness to social network impact their academic pursuits?
Does the social media network that the students in tertiary institution are more exposed to impact their academic pursuits?
How has the use of social media impact the academic pursuits of the students in tertiary institution in Kaduna State?
Is there gender difference in the student’s usage of social media network?
In what way do younger and older students in tertiary institution impact the use of social media?

1.5 Significance of the Study

This study is significant to the teachers, parents and students in tertiary institution.

This study will help the teachers to know the impact that social media has on their students in tertiary institution, so as to assist them to enlighten and create awareness to the students in tertiary institution on the possible impact it has on them.
The study is of significance to parents in the sense that they will know thepossible effects these social media usage has on their children, so as to serve as watch-dog to their children on the usage of the social networking site.
The study will enable the students in tertiary institution of the senior level so that they will be aware that, apart from the social benefits of this social networking site, using the sites more than necessary will pose possible dangers to their health. It will be relevant in assisting students in tertiary institution in understanding the diversity of social media. It will provide relevance material for students in tertiary institution and other researchers undertaking similar research. The study will help researchers with more information on the Impact of social media on student’s academic pursuits.

1.6 Scope of the Study

The focus of this research work is to primarily study the Impact of social media on the academic pursuits of students in tertiary institution. The study will comprise students in tertiary institution in Kaduna State.

1.7 Operational Definition of Terms

As words may mean differently in different contexts, the following definitions are given as the words used as intended to be understood for the purpose of this study.

Academic Pursuit: According to Kuppuswamy (2017), it is concerned with achieving a purpose through study from books as opposed by a practical work.

Computer: A computer is a machine that receives or stores or process data quickly according to a stored program (Wikipedia, 2020).

ICT: Information and Communication Technology (Wikipedia, 2020).

Media: Are all those media technologies that are intended to reach a large audience by mass communication. “They are messages communicated through a mass medium to a number of people (Webster Dictionary, 2019).

Social Media: They are forms of electronic communication which facilitate interactive base on certain interests. Social media include web and mobile technology (Surowiecki, 2005).

Social Networking Sites: A website where people put information about them and can send to others (Surowiecki, 2005).

Social Networking: The use of internet to make information about yourself available to other people especially people you share an interest with to send messages to them (Olubiyi, 2016)

Students in Tertiary Institution: Someone who is Studying at a University or School. Someone who is very interested in a particular subject (Researcher, 2021).

Tweets: A short message posted on Twitter (a micro blog). (Peter, 2016).

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THE EXTENT OF USING SOCIAL MEDIA BY STUDENTS FOR SELF-DEVELOPMENT

ABSTRACT

Social media are fast becoming very popular means of both interpersonal and public communication in Nigeria and the world at large. Social media are modern interactive communication channels through which people connect to one another, share ideas, experiences, pictures, messages and information of common interest. What distinguishes the social media from the conventional means of communication is their interactive nature which allows the audience to participate in it from any part of the world they reside. McQuail (2010) differentiates the social media from the traditional mass media when he noted that “traditional mass communication was essentially one-directional, while the new forms of communication are essentially interactive.” This interactive aura of the new media confers an unprecedented popularity on them. The social media by their nature have the capabilities of educating, informing, entertaining and „inflaming‟ the audience. Above all, they possess a „contagious and outreaching influence‟ which the conventional media lack. This potential is most likely what Osahenye (2012) refers to as “unstoppable power of the social media.” As a novel phenomenon, it is necessary to examine how Nigerian students use the new means of communication. This is because it is observed that students’ contribution as youths can make or mar any nation.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

Okolloh cited by Essoungou (2010), explains that, “the new communication technology is one of the few ways that young Africans can bypass the inefficiencies in the system that allow the status quo to hold on. It lowers the barriers to entry for everyone to get involved and be heard.” A study like this shall help to ascertain whether students‟ use of the social media could be regulated or not. This is obviously because the disposition of people of a given community could shape the media in existence there, just like a cerebral media scholar Anim (2007) aptly notes that “…societies greatly influence the operations and functions of the media that operate within those societies.” The manner in which the social media were used and the role they played in the recent uprising which rocked the Middle-East popularly referred to as „Arab Spring‟ could be deciphered as credence to the above academics‟ observation. Now just like radio or television stations, social media sites spread everywhere in Nigeria and are bound to be sprouting as technologies continue to improve; however, the problem lies in the point that the purposes which the users apply the new media for are still obscure. This is what Folorunso, Vincent, Adekoya and Adewale (2010), perceived when they argue generally that, “in Africa, social media networking site is becoming widely spread than it has ever been before and it tends to be majorly accepted by the youths. Yet the widespread adoption by users of these sites is not clear, as it appears that people‟s perception of this technology is diverse.”

Social media tools are rapidly changing the communications landscape. Their emergence has impacted significantly how students learn and the way instructors teach. In today higher education settings, instructors, students, and others collaborate on the tasks of knowledge construction.The influence of social media on learning and teaching environments is growing more each year.

Social media applications can reinforce class material and positively influence discussions, collaborative work, and authoring. Educators and researchers are constantly experimenting with social media technologies hoping to stimulate critical thinking skills, collaboration and knowledge construction. Social media technologies offer the capability to both receive and create content with the hope that a collective intelligence emerges. The goal is to improve students’ learning experiences to prepare them to enter a workforce that is not geographically constrained and expects them to have highly developed online collaboration skills. The pursuit of such benefits drives academics to incorporate new technological approaches in their teaching methodology.

Most learning is a social activity which occurs in interaction with others, so it is quite a logical step to integrate social media into learning experiences (Sie et al., 2012). The more social the medium is, the greater the impact communication partners have on each other’s behavior (Kaplan & Haenlein 2010). Social media encourage, support and enable people to easily and effectively share knowledge through different technologies.

Social media can be defined as “collaborative online applications and technologies which enable and encourage participation, conversation, openness, creation and socialization amongst a community of users”. Also, social networking refers to a process of relationship building among a group with a common interest. Social media emerged in Nigeria principally for the purpose of socializing (Bowley, 2007).

A wide variety of characteristics and capabilities have been defined for social media in the literature. However, for the purpose of this study, those features of social media have been considered relevant to knowledge sharing purposes. They have the capabilities of social media that encourage, support, and enable undergraduate students to share their knowledge easily and effectively through different mechanisms. These characteristics of social media can be categorized into four features: Social connections have become very important and have improved and enhance accessibility of information and sharing of knowledge tremendously among Nigerian Universities.

Social Media are media that allow users to meet online via the Internet, communicate in social forum like Facebook, Twitter, etc., and other chat sites, where users generally socialise by sharing news, photo or ideas and thoughts, or respond to issues and other contents with other people. Common examples of social media are the popular social networking sites like Facebook, Myspace, Youtube, Flicker, etc. Social Media is an interactive media format that allows users to interact with each other as well as send and receive content from and to each other generally by means of the Internet.

Social media are technologies that facilitate social interaction, make possible collaboration, and enable deliberation by stakeholders across boundaries, time and space. These technologies include: blogs, wikis, media (audio, photo, video, text) sharing tools, networking platforms (including Facebook), and virtual worlds (Bryer and Zavatarro, 2011). The rise of social media sites as another platform on the internet has gained popularity over the last decade. The sites have attracted millions of users worldwide (Boyd, & Ellison, 2007) due to this fact many people are changing the outlet where they search for news, information, business and entertainment. These social media sites let those who use them create personal profiles, while connecting with other users of the sites. Users can upload photographs and post what they are doing at any given time.

The social media by their nature have the capabilities of educating, informing, entertaining and inflaming the audience. Above all, they possess a contagious and outreaching influence which the conventional media lack. This potential is most likely what Osahenye (2012) refers to as “unstoppable power of the social media.Abubakar, (2011), posits that social media, which include blogs (political Blog), networks (Facebook, Twitter, etc.), video sharing (YouTube) audio sharing (Podcast), mobile sites (2go etc.), image or picture sharing (flicker), etc. have the capacity of boosting participation because of their open, conversational nature, connectedness and textual and audio-visual characteristic appeals.

In a study conducted on Social media usage among Youths in Nigeria,Ajewole,Olowu, and Fasola, (2012), concluded that majority of the respondents spend more time on social networking sites, whichaffects their productivity negatively. The findings of this study also indicate that youths in Nigeria are spending too much time on social media at the detriment of other necessary things such as their studies.

A study conducted in 2013 to find out students’ use of social media revealed that student view social media for the purposes of self-development, leisurely entertainment, to watch films, to expose themselves to phonography discuss serious national issues like politics, economy, and religious matters on the new media (Ezeah, Euphemia, Asogwa and Obiorah, 2013).

Nigeria, a country with population of 167 million people (census 2006), 115 million mobile telephone subscribers and million internet users, has been described as the biggest internet and mobile market (NCC 2013). Today in Nigeria there are over 1000 social media sites, which include social, educational, entertainment and gossip, etc. One common feature of most of these sites is that their names are usually associated with a tag name Naijaor Nigeria.

The mass appeal of social media on the internet could be a cause for concern, particularly considering the gradually increasing amount of time youths spend online. In Nigeria, undergraduates spend more time on Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites through smartphones that are now in abundance among them and most of them cannot go for two-three hours without checking and updating their profiles on these social media even at the detriment of other activities such as educational and career pursuit. (Idankwo,2011). The numerous problems of social media usage have recently been the major focus of attention worldwide. Issues of fraud, identity thefts, pornography and countless other negative influences associated with social media in general have been a cause of concern for scholars and authorities worldwide. There are increasing concerns on the use of social media for Internet crimes ranging from hacking to recruitment for terrorism.

The convergence of information and communication technologies as typified by the Internet is increasingly having more influence on all aspects of the society as it has become an integral part of the daily lives of many people. It has had a transformative impact on the mode of information sharing and access globally. Information and knowledge disseminated through the slow process of oral communications or with paper materials can now be transferred rapidly from an individual to an infinite number of users through a number of media and formats. The Internet is the fastest growing communication technology and has emerged as a major source of information that connects people, data and other computers, reducing the world to the much talked-about global village. Amichai-Hamburger and Hayat (2010) described the Internet as the creation of a continuous stream of computers linked together to form one grid, which enables interaction among hundreds of millions of people browsing the net.

Whereas the television revolution reached 50 million viewers in 13 years, the same feat was attained in only four years by the Internet (Molosi, 2001). Aqil and Ahmad (2011) averred that the Internet places information on our finger tips and that it is everywhere, knocking at our door, making our life easy and smooth in enhancing self development and promoting learning among students.

The education sector was among those that first embraced the use of Internet, and it has continued to broaden the breadth and depth of opportunities within institutions of higher learning worldwide. The Internet serves as a useful tool in support of the various educational activities that ranged from research to teaching. The Internet technology and computers has made it possible for students to be active learners and allowed instructors to be facilitators. Jackson, et al. (2011) remarked that the Internet will level the educational playing field due to its availability to everyone, everywhere, and any time, irrespective of gender, race/ethnicity, income or other socio-demographic characteristics. Thus, the Internet is a vital tool that will propel University education to greater heights as the world move further into the knowledge-based economy.

Universities worldwide now invest a lot on internet access because it reduces the time between the production and utilization of knowledge; improves co-operation and exchange of ideas with fellow researchers in other institutions, regions or countries, furthers the sharing of information; and promotes multidisciplinary research. Today, survival in academics without the Internet is hardly imaginable. The Internet has found useful applications in online data repositories, library catalogues, journals, news services, student and financial administration systems, online supported or solely online conducted teaching, as well as in digital communication with fellow students and lecturers. Other contemporary uses of Internet by students include purchasing, entertainment, and even dating. The investigation of how the Internet fits into the daily life of staff and students at educational institutions is worthwhile when one considers the ubiquitous and all pervasive communications tool features of the Internet. Consequently, studies have been carried out in many places to understand how University students use the Internet, the purposes for which the students use the Internet, the search engines used, their Internet skills as well as problems that hinder efficient Internet use.

The Internet is very useful to university students and staff in Nigeria because it enables them to have access to timely, accurate and relevant information that cannot be obtained from library shelves. Internet searching helps university students to boost their intellectual development and job preparation. Due to the endless nature of information resources on the Internet, libraries are increasingly investing in provision of Internet services and resources to enable their clients have better access to the information. The Internet connections also constitute a highly visible service in every library and the librarians and their clients have embraced it in their daily work. Academic libraries now run information literacy courses to educate faculty members and students on skills to access, retrieve and evaluate information resources from the Internet.

The single most significant technological development in the last 20 years has been the Internet. The Internet makes it possible for individuals to connect, collaborate and share knowledge, information, document, photo, video, etc. continuously with anyone in the world. Furthermore, people are able to make use of social media tools in order to increase range and richness of their networks, gather information and nowadays, increasingly organizations are finding ways of integrating social media into their business processes (Gaál et al, 2014). It is the light of the above that this research work will seek to the use of social media by Part-time students in Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Social media has influenced the educational system in Nigeria universities. Its introduction has played a significant role for self development, administration, teaching and learning in both collegies and universities. However, from research dimension, many researchers have tried to write about one aspect or another on the subject of use of social media by students in Nigeria but not much has been carried out in the area of the extent of using social media by part-time students for self development in Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma Edo State.

Also, several studies has dealt on the impact of the use of social media by undergraduate students and its influence on their academic performance, and the use of social media by part-time students have not been employed. Hence this study was designed to investigate the extent of using social media by part-time students for self development in Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma Edo State.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The general Objective of the study is to examine the extent of using social media by part-time students for self development in Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma Edo State. The specific objectives of the study are to:

Examine the use of social media by part-time students in Ambrose Alli University.
Examine the extent of usage of social media by part-time students in Ambrose Alli University.
Examine the purpose of the usage of social media by part-time students in Ambrose Alli University.
Determine benefits of using social media by part-time students in Ambrose Alli University.
Challenges facing the use of social media site by part-time students in Ambrose Alli University.

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions are formulated to guide the study.

Are social media used by part-time students in Ambrose Alli University?
To what extent is social media used by part-time students in Ambrose Alli University?
What are the purposes of the usage of social media by part-time students in Ambrose Alli University?
What are the benefits of using social media by part-time students in Ambrose Alli University?
What are the challenges facing the use of social media by part-time students in Ambrose Alli University?

1.5 Scope of the Study

This research work centered on the extent of using social media by part-time students for self development in Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma Edo State.

1.6 Significance of the Study

The study will be of great significant to students. It is expected that the output of this research will benefit students in Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma Edo State specially the part-time students under study. It will help to determine the level of the students’ usage of social media. This help to enlighten the students of using social media and as well as the precaution necessary to take in the, use of social media site. The outcome of this study will also help the lecturers and university how best to sustain the students’ attention on using social media and the immense benefit on the use of social media. Also this work will be of immense benefit to the field of Library and information sciences as it will be on addition to existing literature.

Also the findings could be used by academic advisers and counselors to proffer professional advice to the university authorities on how to regulate the social media usage among part-time students of Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma.

Again, the findings of this study would provide facts that will enable the ministry of communication technology to know what arises from students’ use of the social media.

This will help the ministry, to know how to control social media usage. Upon successful completion of this research, it shall be very relevant to various people, across Nigeria.

1.7 Operational Definition of Terms

The following operational definition of terms will be used in this study:

Social media are computer-mediated tools that allow people to create, share or exchange information, ideas, and pictures/videos in virtual communities and networks. Social media is defined as “a group of Internet-based applications that build on the ideological and technological foundations of Web2.0 and that allow the creation and exchange of user-generated content.

Social Networking: Social Networking is described social networking websites as systems that allow individuals to: (1) construct a public or semi-public profile within a bounded system, (2) articulate a list of other users with whom they share a connection, and (3) view and traverse their list of connections and those made by others within the system.

Tertiary: This refers to as the third stage, third level and post- secondary education in the higher learning.

Institution: An institution is defined as a process of facilitating learning or the acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, belief and habits.

Students: According to Merriam Webster dictionary, a student is a person who attends a school, college or university.

Part-Time: According to oxford advanced learner dictionary 8^th edition define part-time as part of day or week in which people work or study.

Self Development: Is defined as the process of taking steps to better yourself, such as by learning new skills or overcoming bad habit. It also a process whrerby a person character or ability are gradually developed.

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