The Internet and Facebook Usage on Academic Distraction of College Students

Abstract

This study explored the effects of the Internet and Facebook usage on students' academic distraction. Facebook has become the critical vehicle for young adults to maintain their social presence and extend social connections. However, the demands for socialization and processing of scattered information on Facebook may have detrimental effects on students’ academic performance. In this study, we found that academic distraction is negatively associated with academic achievement. Students with a high-frequency usage of Facebook or the Internet for entertainment per day tended to be more distracted in academic tasks, and had lower GPA. Academic distraction played a mediating role in the indirect effect of the Internet and Facebook usage on the academic achievement of college students. The implication of the study lies in promoting the awareness and reflections of students and educators in regulating the usage behavior of the Internet and Facebook in the intensive computer-mediated environment.