Comparative Analysis On Social Media Platforms Reference Among Students

The overall objective of this study was to comparatively analyze social media platforms reference among students using a case study of Federal polytechnic Ilaro, Ogun state. Various control variables such as students" exposure to social media, people students relate with on social media, time spent on social media, activities on social media, social media sites students use and others were investigated. A sample of 97 students from a population of 966 Students in the study area was used. The researcher obtained the sample through convenient sampling by estimating 10% of the population. The research design maximized by the researcher for this study was the Ex Post Facto research design. The data for this research were gathered through a well-structured questionnaire and achievement test administered by the researcher to the respondents. Research questions were answered by using percentage count and frequencies while the research hypothesis was tested at 95% level of significance by the student t-test via SPSS software. Findings of this study showed students in Federal polytechnic Ilaro of Ogun state reference mainly five social media sites which are Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, TikTok and Whatsapp. Students were also found to have had more relationships among themselves on social medial than they did with any other category of persons. Results showed that majority of students spent a maximum of thirty minutes any time they visit social media sites. A greater number of students, results revealed, visit social media platforms to keep company with their friends who were majorly their classmates. Students admitted that social media did distract them any time they attempted combining it with their studies. The result from the hypothesis testing showed that social media use does not affect Students" performance in the study area. The study recommended that teachers should be deliberate to make friends with their students on social media as this will help them monitor their activities there. Also, students should be guided on how to maximize social media for their assignments and other academic endeavours.

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

The internet, since its inception in the early 1960s by the U.S Department of defense (Schneider, Evans and Pinard, 2006 in Wanajak, 2011), has hit the ground running. A greater percentage of the world"s activities and numerous facets of human endeavours have been (to a great extent) affected by the fast advancement of the internet technology and its programmes. Internet, according to Wikipedia dictionary is a global computer network providing a variety of information and communication facilities, consisting of interconnected networks using standardized communication protocols.

As mentioned in the above definition, one of the sectors of human endeavours greatly influenced by the internet is communication. Several commination facilities have been developed on the internet to facilitate easy communication. Social media, the focus of this study constitutes one of those communication facilities.

According to Apuke (2016), social media has emerged to be one of the most vital communication means as it exists to ease communication among people regardless of the expanse, making it open to people to easily share information, files, pictures and videos, create blogs and send messages and conduct real time conversations.

By definition, according to Adebayo(2012) as cited in Asemah and Okpanachi(2013), social networks (media) is a social structure made up of individuals or organizations called "nodes", which are tied (connected) by one or more specific types of independency, such as friendship, kinship, common interest , financial exchange , dislike, sexual relationships or relationships of beliefs, knowledge or prestige. Social media sites include: Facebook, whatsApp, 2go, Instagram, Blackberry messenger (BBM), Twitter, Google talk etc.

Social media use cuts across almost all human age groups, social status, occupations and the likes including students of different institutional levels. The secondary school level which is the major focus in this research is not in any way exempted from amongst social media users. It is no news to see or hear University students making calls, receiving messages and chatting with friends or associates in the class room when the class is ongoing. They spend late hours of the night on chatting through social media when you should have expected them to be reading their books or sleeping.

The emergence of social media as a result of advancement in technology and expansion in internet software has raised eye brows among academics on its (social media) impact on studies (Asemah, E., Okpanachi, A., 2013). Many researchers have argued as touching whether social media use has or has not any impact or influence on students" academic achievement.

Giving the analysis on the tracks of mass failure in the National Examination Council (NECO) results, Dayo Adesulun of Vanguard expressed "It is sad to note that for five consecutive years, candidates writing the National Examination Council (NECO) examination have recorded mass failures. Apparently, the scenario is worrisome to education stakeholders as nobody knows at whose door-steps to place the blames, students or NECO" (Vanguard news, April 5, 2012).

The analysis reported that in 2002 at NECO"s maiden edition, most candidates passed their registered subjects including and English Language which led to the public accusing the body of awarding cheap results to students. However, after 2007 NECO November/December where 65% had credit pass in , the analysis said, performances of candidates deteriorated every year, down to 11.3% in 2011/2012 result, a situation which the reporter said called for concern among stakeholders. During NECO June/July 2011 examination, the analysis reported that less than 25% of the 1,160,561 candidates had passes at credit level in subjects including . This implies that more than 870,421 candidates failed and other subjects. In a similar vein, as reported by the WAEC Head of National office, Yaba, Mr. Charles Eguridu, the result of May/June 2014 as was announced on Monday, 11 August 2014, witnessed a mass failure in and English Language (published on August 11, 2014; retrieved from https://ynaija.com). He reported that 529,425 candidates representing 31.28% obtained credits in and other four subjects. He noted that, comparing this result to the 2012/2013 May/June result, there was marginal decline in the performances of candidates. The report stated that in 2009, 25.99% obtained credits in and English compare to 23.5% in 2008 among the Nigerian candidates.

Whether or not social media use influences academic achievement of students is a question that remains to be answered. Therefore the problem this research investigates is to comparatively analyze social media platforms reference among students using a case study of Federal polytechnic Ilaro, Ogun state, Nigeria.

1.2 Statement of Problem

Social networks have become an integral part of student social life (Tavares, 2013). These networks have become important as they serve as platforms for users to interact and relate with their peers. Social networks are now been seen as learning platforms or communities that could be utilized to enhance student engagement and performance.

Deng and Tavares (2013), were of the view that the notion of learning communities has become increasingly prevalent in schools at all levels. Cross (1998), sees a learning community as "a group of people who are engaged in learning activities". Social networks have been seen as platforms that could create a learning environment for students and their peers. Social network sites (SNS) have become an interesting part of student life as a result of their features and medium of usage. Students engage each other, friends and peers on various issues and topics as well as share interesting things about their lives and their surroundings. Ito et al (2009), were of the view that, just as it is done in parking lots and shopping centers, young people gather in network public spaces for a number of reasons and these include negotiate identity, gossip, support one another, jockey for status, collaborate, share information, flirt and joke. Nowadays, social network participation among students and young people are no longer limited to desktop and laptop computers but now accessed largely through mobile applications and smart phones.

A study conducted by Negussie and Ketema (2014) in Jima University, Ethiopia, indicated that most students use their personal laptops and smart phones to access social network sites such as Facebook. This was also in line with the study conducted by Ahmed and Qazi (2011) in the United States that most students use their smart phones to access and participate on social media networks. Also, Mehmood and Taswir (2013), research conducted in Oman also indicated that 80% of the students reported using their mobile phones to access social media networks. They indicated that the mobile phone helped increase their access to peers and flexibility of staying in touch with them. They continued that smart features such as reading RSS feeds, location tagging and status posts were popular uses of social network on mobile phones.

This study analyzes a comparism between schools in relation to social media participation and academic performance. It analyzes the pattern of usage among the students in the categories of school and its resultant effect.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The general objective of this study is to comparatively analyze social media platforms reference among students using a case study of Federal polytechnic Ilaro, Ogun state. The specific objectives of this study are:

To determine which social media platforms University students prefer in Federal polytechnic Ilaro, Ogun state

To examine what University students use social media platforms for in Federal polytechnic Ilaro, Ogun state

To examine the influence of social media platforms on students" academic performance in Federal polytechnic Ilaro, Ogun state

1.4 research questions

The researcher formulated the following research questions based on the research objectives:

Which social media platforms do university students prefer in Federal polytechnic Ilaro, Ogun state?

What do University students use social media platforms for in Federal polytechnic Ilaro, Ogun state?

What is the influence of social media platforms on students" academic performance in Federal polytechnic Ilaro, Ogun state?

1.5 Hypothesis

HO1: There is no significant influence of social media platforms on students" academic performance of University students in Federal polytechnic Ilaro, Ogun state, Nigeria

HA1: There is a significant influence of social media platforms on students" academic performance of University students in Federal polytechnic Ilaro, Ogun state, Nigeria

1.6 Significance of the Study

This study will be of great importance to both students, teachers, parents and the entire society as it will open their eyes to the subtle damage associated with inappropriate use of the social media. Students will learn how to balance their academic work - reading, assignment and so on and social media involvement. In so doing, they will become more productive academically, morally, socially and otherwise not only to themselves but to the entire society. It will be an eye opener to unsuspecting teachers and head teachers who might have taken things for granted regarding the place of social media in students" academic achievement. This will help them define deliberate bounds on social media usage for students especially during school hours. The study will also help parents to watch their children/wards more closely, helping them at home to spend their time reasonably in reading their books and other noble courses rather than misappropriating them on the internet. It will also help them (parents) to monitor what activities their children/wards engage in on social media especially at home. This study will also help the entire academic society, especially curriculum planners, to include strategic contents that will help students maximize social media positively for academic purposes. The study will also be relevant as a source or ground for further studies. Lastly, this study will contribute to future research in related areas of study.

1.7 Scope of Study

This study was specifically set to comparatively analyze social media platforms reference among students using a case study of Federal polytechnic Ilaro, Ogun state.

1.8 Limitations of the Study

It was in the interest of the researcher to comparatively analyze social media platforms reference among students using a case study of Federal polytechnic Ilaro, Ogun state. However, due to limited resources paramount to the research, the researcher limited the study to Federal polytechnic Ilaro, Ogun state.

It is worthy of note, the fact that, the findings of this study may not be applicable to other parts of the country or the globe. The researcher also worked on the assumption that the responses of all the respondents were correct and sincere. If otherwise, then the findings of this study may not be considered authentic following the same assumption.

1.9 Definition of Terms

Social Media:

Social media is a computer-based technology that facilitates the sharing of ideas, thoughts, and information through the building of virtual networks and communities. There are more than 4.5 billion social media users around the world. Social media typically features user-generated content and personalized profiles.

Social Media Platforms:

Refers to the various social media sites and channels and they include Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTOK among others.

Academic Performance:

Is the extent to which a student, teacher or institution has attained their short or long-term educational goals. Completion of educational benchmarks such as secondary school diplomas and bachelor"s degrees represent academic achievement.

1.10 Organisation of the Study

This study is organized into five chapters. Chapter one included the background of the study, research problem, research objectives and questions as well as limitation of the study. Chapter two contains the literature review. Chapter three includes the methodology and study area. Chapter Four contains the results and discussion of key findings of the study. Chapter Five finally looks at the summary, conclusions, and recommendations based on the findings.

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