Determining the Impacts of Social Media on Students’ Mood, Time Management and Academic Activities: The Nigerian Perspective

Abstract

The twenty-first century can be said to be the time where digitization is at its peak, with many programmers tapping into the desire of humans to remain connected without time and space limitations. The crash in prices of data, smart phones, and related digital devices have increased availability and access thereby closing digital divide and widening its adverse effects on the youths’ morals and academic pursuits. It is important that the Nigerian government understand some of the factors that contribute to the dwindling participation level of students in government owned institutions, in academic exercise so as to put in place policies and infrastructure that would help combat the challenges. This study investigated the effects of time spent on social media on students’ academic activities, mood, and time management abilities. The investigation was carried through the analysis of students’ answers to questions presented in a questionnaire. The result indicated that time spent on social media negatively affects academic activities and students’ time management abilities, as well as students’ mood. From the findings we conclude that time spent on social media results in lesser commitment to academic activities, inefficient time management ability, and increase in mood swings among undergraduates.