THE ROLE OF INTERNET ON INFORMATION
SPREAD IN NIGERIAN CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY AND STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC LIFE.
Introduction
The advent of the internet in the 1990s led to major developments in the world of communication hence the
introduction of social networking sites (SNSs). The coming into being of these
sites revolutionized the world of communication and today we celebrate its
improvements ranging from education to entertainment. The evolution of the
internet has led to its usage as the best medium of communication whereby
two-thirds (2/3) of the internet world‘s population visit social networking
sites (SNSs) thus serving as communication and connection tools. These
networking sites are referred to as social media (Boyd and Ellison, 2007).
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Social media exploded as a category of online discourse which enables people to
create contents, share them, bookmark them and network at a prodigious rate
(Jha and Bhardwaj, 2012). This has breached the gap that existed in
communication where people had to rely solely on traditional methods such as
letters and phone calls as a mode of getting in touch with friends and
relatives. Today, communication is as easy as walking into a neighbor’s
residence to deliver a piece of information or vice versa through the use of
social media. Social media is fast changing the public discourse in the society
and is setting trends and agenda in topics that range from the environment and
politics to technology and the entertainment industry (Asur and Huberman,
2010). The driving factors for the adoption of social media are the progressively
ubiquitous access, convenience, functionality, and flexibility of social
technologies (Brown, 2010; Schroeder, Minocha and Schneider, 2010). These
factors have made the adoption of social media very easy 3 and have
tremendously improved mankind’s life by exposing him to different ways of
creating and sharing information. An additional benefit of social technologies
provided on the internet is that they are frequently free or require marginal
investment, thereby eliminating a potential barrier to adoption (Brown, 2010).
As we know, nothing interesting is ever completely one-sided, so it is for
social media as it comes with both positive and negative effects. There is a
correlation between social media usage and academic performance of students in
universities. There have been various views and opinions which recognize four
major advantages of social media use in higher education. These include;
enhancing the relationship, improving learning motivation, offering personalized
course material, and developing collaborative abilities (Wheeler, Yeomans and
Wheeler,2008; Rifkin, Longnecker, Leach and Ortia,2009). Also, Liccardi et al
(2007), argued that students are socially connected with one another and
therefore share their daily learning experiences and do conversation on various
topics through social media whereas Kuppuswamy and Shankar (2010), reviewed
that social network websites grab students’ attention and then diverts it
towards non-educational and inappropriate actions including useless chatting.
Research has proved the heavy presence of social media usage among students.
Wiley and Sisson (2006), for instance, argue that previous studies have found
that more than 90% percent of tertiary school students use social networks. It
is also found out that, students use social networking sites (SNSs)
approximately thirty (30) minutes throughout the day as part of their daily
routine life (Nicole, Charles, and Cliff, 2007).This shows the level at which
students are patronizing these sites and this may bring along both positive and
negative effects on students as far as their academic performance is concerned.
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Statement
of the problem
The
internet is today the most important source of information and the growing
dimensions of the use of social media by students cannot be underestimated. It
has been observed that students devote more attention and time to social media
than they do for their studies and they cannot pass their examinations well if
they do not learn (Osharive, 2015). Also, the study conducted by Maya (2015),
revealed that media use contributes to lower academic performance, low self-perceptions
and less interest in college-oriented carriers. Academic excellence plays an
important role in an individual’s life; be it in the family, at social
gatherings, at the workplace, in an institution or even among peers. Much emphasis
is placed on academic excellence because of the role it plays in an
individual’s life as far as a successful life and respect are concerned in every
part of the world. Due to this, many people are concerned with the ways that
they can improve their academic performance (Kyoshaba, 2009). Studies have also
revealed that social media affects students’ use of English. They tend to use
short- handwriting to chat with friends and get used to it thereby replicating
the same errors during examinations (Obi, Bulus, Adamu and Sala’at, 2012).
Today students at all levels especially tertiary level have been engaged in the
use of social networking sites (SNSs). This research, therefore, seeks to
investigate the level of engagement of students of the University of Ghana into
social networking sites and also determine the effect of their use on the
academic work.
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Literature review
The concept of social media continuously keeps changing and as such it is difficult to assign a fixed
definition to it as Jacka and Scott (2011), argued that ‘’there is no single
recognized definition for social media’’. However, some scholars have defined it
in different perspectives over the past years. Kaplan and Haenlein (2010),
defined social media as a group of the internet-based applications that build on
the ideological and technological foundations of Web 2.0 and allow the creation
and exchange of user-generated content. The Oxford dictionary (2011), also
defined social media as “websites and applications used for social networking”.
Another definition of social media is that it is a ‘’communication channel
which is very popular, extremely fast and broad, has proven to be highly
effective, as well as trusted by billions of people , to share and discover
content concerning individuals, brands, information, entertainment and
knowhow’’ (Dearborn, 2014). One theme that all these definitions underpin is
that social media involves some form of communication between individuals over
the internet. Social media began in the late 1990s with the first recognized
social media network called “Six Degrees “ in 1997 and this technology enabled
people to upload a profile and make friends. From 1997 to 2001 a number of
community tools; Asian Avenue, black planet and MiGente began supporting a various combination of profile and publicly articulated friend (Boyd, Danah,
Ellison and Nicole, 2007). There has been a tremendous improvement since this era
and today 6 there exist uncountable social networking sites either developed
for local use, specific purpose or international use. Kaplan and Haenlein
(2010), classified social media into six (6) different categories as follows;
1. Collaborative project (Wikipedia) 2. Blogs and microblogs (twitter) 3.
Content communities (youtube) 4. Social networking sites (FB, 2go, BB chat) 5.
Virtual game World (world of warcraft) 6. Virtual second world (second life)
This classification of social media into classes has been useful to scholars
and individuals for easy identification and study of a particular social media
type but today a difficulty may arise due to the high proliferation of social
media and one may wonder which group a new developed social media type fits
into. Social media is considered to be the fastest-growing web application in
the 21 century and this rapid development is being backed by technological
advancement (Heyam, 2014). Mankind has enormously benefited and continues to
benefit from it and as such cannot underestimate its importance as far as
communication is concerned.
Today, social media has taken a new
dimension and has encouraged more participation through the introduction of
mobile phones that support social networks applications. The use of mobile
phones that are powered by Android applications to the social network is termed as
Mobile social networking. According to Humphreys (2007), in his study titled
“Mobile Social Networks and Social Practices” social network applications have
now been migrated from the computer to the 7 mobile phones, network information
and communication can be integrated into the public space; and these new
services that are developed for mobile phones allow users to create, develop,
and strengthen their social ties.
Positive effects of social media on students’ academic life.
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Students’ academic life has moved to a different dimension since the introduction of these social media networks and several studies have affirmed that social media plays an important role on students in higher education including the study conducted by Wheeler, Yeomans and Wheeler,(2008); Rifkin, Longnecker, Leach, and Ortia,(2009). In their study, they recognized four (4) major advantages of social media usage by students in higher education which included; enhancing relationship, improving learning motivation, offering personalized course material and developing collaborative abilities. Indeed, social media has contributed greatly to facilitating learning in the 21st century. It is shown that a greater percentage of students including those at the Ph.D. level commonly use social media to ameliorate their studies (Khan, 2010). The answers to the causes of flexible studies today across the globe might not be far-fetched from the great contribution that social media platforms are providing when used judiciously. Even though, there have been other school of thought that states that social media is a nuisance to students’ academic life such as Kuppuswamy and Shankar (2010), who argued in their study that social networks distract the attention and concentration of the students toward learning and converts it towards noneducational activities such as useless and unnecessary chatting, there have been several studies conducted afterward whose findings are contrary to this claim. For instance, the study conducted by Jain, Verma, Verma, and Tiwari (2012), titled “the impact of social networking in promoting education’’ revealed that students benefit from chatting with other students, teachers and external sources to acquire knowledge. Also, Yunus and Salehi 8 (2012), argued in the same direction that students gained more vocabulary, improved their writing skills and reduce their spelling mistakes through social media usage. In fact as an educational tool, social media enriches learning by giving both students and teachers the opportunity to connect in new and very exciting ways thereby encouraging flexible mode of learning. It is stated that flexible learning expands the choice on what, when and how people learn. It supports different styles of learning including E-learning which is highly patronized across the globe (Pappas, 2013). Other scholars; O’keeffe and Clake-pearson (2011), in their the study also revealed that social media benefits students by connecting them to one another on assignments and class projects. It is further buttressed in the study of Arquero and Esteban, (2013) and Selwyn, (2007) whose conclusions were that social media undoubtedly generate new opportunities to engage students in higher education as they are remarkably effective at connecting people and facilitating the exchange of information. It is clear and indisputable from these studies that social media usage in the educational sector cannot be underestimated since its introduction.
Students’ academic life has moved to a different dimension since the introduction of these social media networks and several studies have affirmed that social media plays an important role on students in higher education including the study conducted by Wheeler, Yeomans and Wheeler,(2008); Rifkin, Longnecker, Leach, and Ortia,(2009). In their study, they recognized four (4) major advantages of social media usage by students in higher education which included; enhancing relationship, improving learning motivation, offering personalized course material and developing collaborative abilities. Indeed, social media has contributed greatly to facilitating learning in the 21st century. It is shown that a greater percentage of students including those at the Ph.D. level commonly use social media to ameliorate their studies (Khan, 2010). The answers to the causes of flexible studies today across the globe might not be far-fetched from the great contribution that social media platforms are providing when used judiciously. Even though, there have been other school of thought that states that social media is a nuisance to students’ academic life such as Kuppuswamy and Shankar (2010), who argued in their study that social networks distract the attention and concentration of the students toward learning and converts it towards noneducational activities such as useless and unnecessary chatting, there have been several studies conducted afterward whose findings are contrary to this claim. For instance, the study conducted by Jain, Verma, Verma, and Tiwari (2012), titled “the impact of social networking in promoting education’’ revealed that students benefit from chatting with other students, teachers and external sources to acquire knowledge. Also, Yunus and Salehi 8 (2012), argued in the same direction that students gained more vocabulary, improved their writing skills and reduce their spelling mistakes through social media usage. In fact as an educational tool, social media enriches learning by giving both students and teachers the opportunity to connect in new and very exciting ways thereby encouraging flexible mode of learning. It is stated that flexible learning expands the choice on what, when and how people learn. It supports different styles of learning including E-learning which is highly patronized across the globe (Pappas, 2013). Other scholars; O’keeffe and Clake-pearson (2011), in their the study also revealed that social media benefits students by connecting them to one another on assignments and class projects. It is further buttressed in the study of Arquero and Esteban, (2013) and Selwyn, (2007) whose conclusions were that social media undoubtedly generate new opportunities to engage students in higher education as they are remarkably effective at connecting people and facilitating the exchange of information. It is clear and indisputable from these studies that social media usage in the educational sector cannot be underestimated since its introduction.
Negative effects of social media on students’ academic life
Davies
and Cranston (2008), enumerated some of the risks associated with social media
which included criminal activities such as identity theft and fake contacts
which is prevalent today, sexual abuse or harassment and unsuitable
advertising. On the same subject O’keeffe and Clakepearson (2011), also
mentioned cyberbullying, online harassment, sexting, facebook depression, and
privacy concerns as some of the challenges associated with social networking.
Cyberbullying: cyberbullying is a category of bullying that occurs in the
digital realm or medium of electronic text. ‘‘It is any behavior performed
through electronic or digital media by 9 individuals or groups that repeatedly
communicates hostile or aggressive messages intended to inflict harm or
discomfort on others’’ (Tokunaga, 2010). Cyberbullying is one the serious
threat in the social media environment and has called for a number of studies
to determine its causes. The causes of cyberbullying according to Calvete,
Orue, Estevez, Villardon, and Padilla (2010), was significantly related to the
use of proactive aggression, justification of violence, exposure to violence
and less perceived social support of friends.
Privacy
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concerns: this is another concern that everyone involved in social networking is faced with. The rate at which people post or share fake information calls for alarm and it is difficult to ascertain that, what people say and post are truly who they are. Individuals’ private information are publicly displayed on some of these social networks and malicious people take advantage and perpetrate all kinds of harassment. It is also argued that the privacy options offered by most social networking sites (SNSs) do not provide users with the flexibility needed to handle conflicts with individuals who have different conceptions of privacy (Preibusch, Hoser, Gurses and Berendt, 2007). Aside from these effects, other studies conducted by scholars have also proved that social media can be detrimental to students’ academic life if caution is not taken in its usage.
ALSO, READ;
For instance, the study conducted by Obi, Bulus, Adamu, and Sala’at (2012), titled “The need for safety consciousness among Youths on Social Networking Sites” concluded that social media affects students use of English. They use short-handwriting when chatting with friends and unconsciously get used to it thereby replicating the same errors during examinations. Even though one may argue that these are minor challenges, it is important to acknowledge the increasing rate at which these errors are replicated in the education sector and if care is not taken a future generation may see it as a norm. Indeed a number of studies including but not limited to the study of Kuppuswamy and Shankar (2010), Osharive (2015), Maya (2015), among others have revealed unequivocally that social media can be problematic to students’ academic life if caution is not taken in its usage.
concerns: this is another concern that everyone involved in social networking is faced with. The rate at which people post or share fake information calls for alarm and it is difficult to ascertain that, what people say and post are truly who they are. Individuals’ private information are publicly displayed on some of these social networks and malicious people take advantage and perpetrate all kinds of harassment. It is also argued that the privacy options offered by most social networking sites (SNSs) do not provide users with the flexibility needed to handle conflicts with individuals who have different conceptions of privacy (Preibusch, Hoser, Gurses and Berendt, 2007). Aside from these effects, other studies conducted by scholars have also proved that social media can be detrimental to students’ academic life if caution is not taken in its usage.
ALSO, READ;
For instance, the study conducted by Obi, Bulus, Adamu, and Sala’at (2012), titled “The need for safety consciousness among Youths on Social Networking Sites” concluded that social media affects students use of English. They use short-handwriting when chatting with friends and unconsciously get used to it thereby replicating the same errors during examinations. Even though one may argue that these are minor challenges, it is important to acknowledge the increasing rate at which these errors are replicated in the education sector and if care is not taken a future generation may see it as a norm. Indeed a number of studies including but not limited to the study of Kuppuswamy and Shankar (2010), Osharive (2015), Maya (2015), among others have revealed unequivocally that social media can be problematic to students’ academic life if caution is not taken in its usage.
Conclusion
It is without a doubt that social media is and
will remain an important tool in human life as far as communication is concerned.
Today mankind is harvesting tremendously from its existence not only in mere
communication point of view but also in most scholarly activities. Different
forms of education including distance education has been widely patronized and
facilitated to some degree through these social media networks. Acquiring
information both locally and internationally from friends, lectures or experts
is no longer a struggle as compared to the olden days and the internet is the ultimate master behind this success. “Social media is a useful servant but a
dangerous master” and can also be “described as a two-edged sword” and as such,
users especially students must be alert about its dangers and be prudent in its
utilization. The nature of social media as a useful servant but a dangerous
master” and a two-edge sword has been revealed in the findings of the study that,
despite the benefits that students can harness from social media networks such
as sharing of information, building relationship, partaking in group
discussions from near and far among others, there is to some extent addiction
and distraction of attention caused by the use of social media which could have
serious consequences on the academic life of students.
Recommendations
In light of the findings, the
following recommendations are made;
.
Seminars should be organized in the various schools or faculties to enlighten
students more about the possible implications of social media usage on their
academic performance. 18 2. Students should make sure that they use these
social networking sites judiciously to ensure that they do not become
detrimental to their academics. 3. Teachers/lecturers can adopt new strategies
by channeling assignments or discussions on social media platforms to help
inculcate the habit of using these sites for academic work. 4. Students must
minimize the time they spend on social media to avoid being obsessed with these
sites for unnecessary chatting. 5. The university authority should also
restrict access to certain social media sites that may be prone to distracting
students’ attention during school hours as a means of minimizing their use.
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