EFFECTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT’S ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AT JHANG

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17506514

Abstract

Technological improvements have led students and young people to dominate the internet, particularly social media. One wonders how they balance using social media and being up to date on study. The impact of media on educational performance can be both positive and negative, and it is important to consider various factors when assessing its influence. Educational programs and content delivered through media can positively influence students' learning experiences. Platforms like educational television programs, online courses, and interactive learning apps can provide supplementary resources that enhance students' understanding of academic subjects. This research analyzed the effects of social media use on educational performance among undergraduate level students in the district Jhang. The present study was conducted in Jhang. District Jhang still has only two educational institutes offering undergraduate and post-graduate degree programs. The researcher chose the University of Jhang (UOJ) conveniently for their research. The target population consisted of undergraduate students at the University of Jhang.  The sample consisted of 150 undergraduate students (75 males and 75 females). For the purpose of data collection, a questionnaire was used, and SPSS software was utilized for the analysis of the data. The study revealed several key insights regarding students' use of smartphones and social media. It was found that less than half (47.3%) of the students spent 3-5 hours daily on social media. The most popular social media sites among students were YouTube (92%), WhatsApp (86%), Facebook (76%), Instagram (74.0%), Snapchat (66.7%), TikTok (54.0%), and Twitter (54.0%).  A majority (55.3%) of students used social media for educational purposes, and 39.3% found it motivational for recreation and entertainment. Most of the students agreed that social media creates awareness of new trends (3.85±1.06), provides the latest knowledge and information (3.75±1.20), is essential for learning and skill acquisition (3.73±1.12), and facilitates global cultural awareness (3.69±1.11). Students acknowledged some negative impacts of social media, including health issues due to addiction (3.41±1.22), diminished academic performance (3.35±1.21), and deteriorating writing abilities (3.14±1.14). Universities should encourage students to utilize social media for academic purposes while teaching them how to use it responsibly and sensibly.