PATTERN OF SOCIAL MEDIA USE AND THEIR EFFECTS ON THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE STUDENTS IN KOGI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examined the patterns of social media usage and their effects on the academic performance of Library and Information Science (LIS) students in Polytechnic in Kogi State, Nigeria. The objectives were to determine the extent of patterns 0f social media use among LIS students, identify; their effects on students’ academic performance. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population comprised of 400 respondents selected randomly from the two Polytechnics used for the study. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data, and the responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency counts, percentages, mean, media and mode. The findings revealed that a majority of LIS students actively use social media platforms such as Whatssapp, Facebook, Telegram, and tiktok for both academic and non-academic purposes. The study further showed that while social media enhances collaborative learning, access to quality education and exposure to professional information .Major implication of this study is excessive and unregulated usage that is affecting students’ concentration, time management, and overall academic performance. It should be used for educational purpose majorly. This can have an impact on learning quality, information retention, and overall academic success. The study concluded that social media has both positive and negative impacts on the academic performance of LIS students in Kogi State. If the negative aspect of social media is taking care of, it will become very advantageous to every users. It was recommended that students should be guided on effective time management and academic utilization of social media, while institutions should integrate social media-based learning strategies to maximize its benefits and minimize distractions.