Students' Perception of the Effect of Social Media on Their Academic Performance: The Case of Sendafa Beke Preparatory School, Oromia, Ethiopia
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2024-11-01
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore how students of Sendafa Beke preparatory school
perceive the use of social media (SM) on their academic performance. Many Students are
impacted by the growing use of social media platforms in various parts of the world. Concerns
over potential negative effects on academic performance have grown over time, as students often
spend more time on social media sites than any other group. Social networking sites (SNS) are
online communities of internet users who wish to interact with others about topics of shared
interest, whether from a personal, professional, or academic standpoint. The increasing use of
social media has led to problems like the erosion of moral principles and distractions,
particularly among students who make up the bulk of users. While some studies suggest a
detrimental association between social media usage and academic performance, others argue
that there is no substantial impact on academic performance. This study aims to explore the
students’ perception of the effect of social media on their academic performance, by using
qualitative and quantitative research methods. The researcher selected an appropriate sample
size for statistical accuracy and generalizability. The Sendafa Beke preparatory school had
1,107 students. For the 2023/2024 academic year, the researcher chose 336 students (175 male
and 161 female), including 172 respondents from grade 11 and 164 from grade 12, based on
attendance lists from their teachers. Findings indicate a mixed perception among students,
viewing social media as both a valuable tool for collaboration, interactions and educational
materials and a significant distraction that hinders academic focus. While many students utilize
social media for study groups and resource sharing, excessive use correlates with poor time
management and lower engagement in learning methods. Additionally, the emotional pressure
exerted by social media influences study habits among students. Finally, parents, school
teachers, school management and policy makers should play vital roles in creating awareness of
how to use social media without affecting their academic performance.
Keywords: - Student perception, social media, academic performance.
Description
Keywords
Student perception, social media, academic performance.