INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL MEDIA AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF STUDENTS (A STUDY OF THE IBARAPA POLYTECHNIC, ERUWA.)

ABSTRACT
The purpose of this research study is to examine the influence of Social Media and Academic Performance Of students (A study of The Ibarapa Polytechnic, Eruwa). Five Research questions and five Research hypotheses guided the study. To achieve this, the descriptive survey research design was adopted. The study focused on The Ibarapa Polytechnic, Eruwa, hence, population consists of all the 8, 661 students. The simple random sampling technique was used to select a sample of 378 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 participants. The descriptive statistics of frequency counts and percentage, were used to analyze the demographic data while inferential statistics of Chi-square(x2) was used in testing the research hypotheses. Research findings showed that a great number of students in The IIbarapa Polytechnic, Eruwa 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 performance; 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 performance of the students.