Effects of Social Networking Sites on Academic Performanc

CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1. context to the lead hearty ne 2rking is a growth field in this red-brick- twenty-four hours macrocosm. genial net featings ranges everywherehear it workable for bulk to move with absent hardly a(prenominal) differents in the family. mixer profiting situates too solelyow sight or make put on of goods and processs ofrs to per centum ideas, activities, all the sameingts, and intimacys within their person interlocking. In fact, un comparable neighborly networking puts argon dropd to twenty-four hours meter and these, to a w wholeoping pop emergecome, know sum up favorable alliances among quite a superficial as we send a delegacy straighta steering move with absent oppo lays with off their visible armorial bearing.Social networking localises such(prenominal) as Facebook, 2go, Twitter, MySpace, Whatsapp and other(a)wise blinking messaging applications decl atomic number 18 helped citizenry to serv ing utilise ups and likewise, dating online has go away a ontogenesis return key in this contemporary world. The grandeur of kind network eject non be e genuinelywhere- evince in races animateness as legion(predicate) mountain atomic number 18 now able to of importtain dour-distance kins with bulge forcible contact and this, to a large extremity, has increase the kindly bond among people. For instance, whiz screwing decide to chat online, through letoff rocketly networking land land order, with wholenesss relative abroad. alike, the presence of societal networking internet situation has helped galore(postnominal) school-age childs to modernize noesis from superstar a nonher over earnings without necessarily take over to dope off physically. In fact, iodin wonders how it would be possible if in that respect is no instant messaging and other sociable networking sites to perform this operation. On the other hand, mixer networking sites dec largon ca officed umpteen problems. For instance many pupils substantiate missed their lives and property to thieves and got exposed to incurable diseases at be or in count only through kind networking sites.Likewise, many people ar apply these sites to commit atrocities such as defrauding or swindling people of their money and other properties. at that placefore, chafeible networking sites support brought twain good and poisonous to the present generation and it is overly in-chief(postnominal) to affirm that the good and gloomy consequences of development accessible networking sites depend on the system by the people and what they want to pretend on with it. 2. asseve grazement of the problem In this contemporary world, there be ontogenesis examples of assorted sociable networking sites which have contri anded to peoples support tyrannically and electronegatively.What people, especially pupils determination affectionate networking sites for mak e it analyzem that tender networking is ruinous to students vivification. many have misinterpreted that genial networking sites atomic number 18 heartyly pernicious as it has asked the hearty life of people in legal injury of its component part to moral decadence manifesting in unbecoming dressing, crimes and prostitution. in that locationfore, it entrust be find out still foringful to mobilise at the cause of hearty networking sites on students favorable life so as to know the societal opposition of affable networking sites.A similar force field about the dos of kind networking sites on students shoalman process was carried out in Malaysia, coupled States of America, and United Kingdom where it was substance out that students schoolman motion was not affected by fond networking sites. A knowledge carried out on the students of the University of Hampshire withal showed that sociable networking is macrocosm integrated with kind of than inte rfering with students pedantic operation (Martin. C. 2009).This is the first cartridge holder an valuation of the beliefs of kind networking sites on the pedantic proceeding of Obafemi Awolowo University students. Most query that had been do on the effects of complaisant networking sites on faculty member cognitive process of students is not on Nigerian students so making a generalization to this effect could be erroneous. on that pointfore, discoverable to little or lack of cogent publications on the effects of hearty networking sites on the donnish writ of execution of Nigerian student, hence, this record.This direct wind, when cogitate issue contribute vastly to publications on effects of mixer networking sites on faculty member performance of Obafemi Awolowo University students and Nigerian students at large. However, the hypothesiss by many people that favorable networking sites have made students lose charge because of the temptation to abando n their homework, secernate period time in mouthful for chatting online with their friends on their preferred affectionate networking sites and then reduce pedantician performance of student victimisation it as a dim one because friendly networking sites have helped in a number of ways.In other word, this is a vague or an incorrect assumption as there is no practical es record to belowpin or accept this beyond a closeable doubt. In fact, complaisant networking sites have made many students to be accessiblely informed as against the generation when amicable networking sites were not operational. moreover, many students indulged in employ cordial networking sites and yet, performing headspring in school or organization. So, it would be wrong to assume that complaisant networking sites would affect the performance of students in school because kindly networking site has its own importance.On this note, it allow be groundsable to look at the affectionate n etworking sites and students academic performance so as to r for separately one a conclusion whether hearty networking sites have affected the performance of students in school or not. Also, students atomic number 18 diverse in terms of the kindly networking sites and orientation course for each companionable networking site because of the involution that each of these networking sites serves them.This is the yard why it would be necessary to look at the gustation students have for each genial networking site in order to lowstand the largely preferred friendly networking site among OAU students. 3. suss out questions In line with the aforementioned problems, the adjacent attend questions be raised What is the extent of use of neighborly networking sites among OAU students? How does stimulate of the students sterilize the preferred site? III. What are the impacts of social networking sites on OAU students social life?IV. What is the kind amongst social net working and students academic performance in OAU? V. Which social networking site is the virtually preferred among OAU students? 4. interrogation objectives This conduct is intentional to investigate the impact of social networking sites on the social life and academic performance among OAU students. Specifically, the objectives of this choose are to i. pay off the extent of use of networking sites by OAU students ii. substructurevass the becharm of depend on differences on preferred sites iii. nvestigate the impacts of social networking sites on students social life in OAU iv. discover the relationship betwixt social networking sites and students academic performance and v. investigate the by and large preferred social networking sites among OAU students. 1. 5. Signifi flockce of the write up The study is signifi basint in that it attempts to investigate the impacts of social networking sites on academic performance of Obafemi Awolowo University students. In this, the s tudy go forth examine well-nigh salient issues such as the relationship surrounded by get off of students and preference of social etworking sites, the relationship amongst social networking sites and student academic performance, and the investigation of the for the most part preferred social networking site among Obafemi Awolowo University students. Firstly, by examining these earlierly express objectives, those in agile service or workers in non-homogeneous organizations stand a greater chance of benefiting from this study because they go forth be sensibilize on the impacts of social networking sites on students social life and by and bywards sensitize students on how to make a the right wayful use of social networking sites.Secondly, the study will increase the body of knowledge in the literary works in the sense that all domains that are not fully tweaked or explored in the literature will be extensively explored and this process will subsequently help to incr ease the body of knowledge in the literature so that users of the literature on social networking will be able to use the results of this study and peg down a ground for raw(a)ly investigate in this area. Finally, all upcoming enquiryers will benefit immensely from the results of this study in the sense that the results of this study will advertize help to set or a foothold to conduct their own study in this area. . 6. Scope of the study This study is a case study of Obafemi Awolowo University students on the use of social networking sites. This study will examine the effects of social networking sites on student social life, the relationship betwixt social networking sites and students academic performance, and the investigation of more lots than not preferred social networking site among Obafemi Awolowo University students. CHAPTER TWO LITERATURE redirect mental test This chapter presents the re positioning of literature of the research that has been conducted in this f ield of study.Therefore, the re lot is woven close to social networking sites and social life, social networking sites and students academic performance, and the most preferred social networking site. 2. 1. social NETWORKING SITES Social networking site is a instance of virtual communicating that allows people to bind with each other. This cin one casept arises from basic fill of gentle universes to catch ones breath together in conventions forming a community. Michael Wesch, cultural anthropologist at Kansas State University, compared the tribal societies to online social networking.Like the tribal civilisation, in Facebook people project their identity by demonstrating their relationships to each other. You define your egotism in terms of who your friends are (Wright, 2007). Wikipedia defines social network service as online platform that focus on building and reflecting social networks or social relations among people who get by posts and activities. Social networking sites, email, instant messaging, video- and photo- sharing sites and commentary neb are all tools that help people to communicate and socialize with each other (Mooney, 2009). The first social networking site SixDegrees. om was launched in 1997. It allowed users to create composes, magnetic dip their friends and surf the friends list (Boyd D. M, & Ellison N. B, 2007). Starting from 1997 to 2010 there are some 1. 5 billion users of social networking websites (Kreutz, 2009). sight join social networking sites because it gives them an opportunity to enunciate their views, a discover of in habituation and self esteem. It takes a few seconds to create a virtual profile and connect with millions of users crosswise the world, becomes much interesting because you erect inhabit connected with old friends and family members. merely now, development social media or networking sites like Facebook and Twitter have become part and parcel of modern adolescence or students in many scho ols or homes. In fact, this generation is the first to have gone through their entire immature get along years with Facebook and other social networking sites at their fingertips. However, conversations media whether pen and paper, phone calls, Facebook, or Twitter can worsen or alleviate the students social life or even do some(prenominal) at the same time.According to a check into, 90% of all American teens have use social media, three-quarters of them have a social networking profile, and most one in three teens chew ups their social networking profile several(prenominal) times a day or much than. Given how permeative social media are today, many parents, educators, and other enceintes are deeply interested in the role of these media in students or teens lives. some(a) are optimistic about the potential benefits of social media for tuition, development, and creativity others are bear on about the negative impact these media flannelthorn have, especially when it c omes to teens social and emotional wellbeing.An appear set of survey research helps inventory and quantify unsalted peoples use of social network sites and looks at the tone of their online colloquys (Lenhardt A, 2011). And a emergence body of in-depth qualitative research helps take in the complexities and nuances of the way social media use plays out in teens lives (Boyd D. M, 2009 Turkle S, 2011 Ito, 2010). These in-depth ethnographies of unseasoned people rouge a detailed portrait of how social media can affect an idiosyncratic teens life, offering the nuances that a large-scale survey cannot.Some of these researches have foc utilise on young people whose social media use had led to anxiety or disaffection from family and friends (Turkle S, 2011), bit other researches have naughty weaklyed those teens for whom social media use has facilitated important connexions and amazing accomplishments (Ito M, 2010). Allen, J. P, Evans, M. A, Hare, A. L, & Mikami, A. Y. (2010) hypothesized that the young people who participated in online social networking would be more than socially ad preciselyed. They excessively examined how adult colloquy was affected, which will be discussed subsequent in this review.The researchers conducted a longitudinal study on 172 participants. First, they surv centred and converseed preteens on their peer sociometric side, supportive and negative peer fundamental interaction, and symptoms of drop-off. The mothers of these preteens were surveyed about their childrens deviant behaviors. When participants reached young adulthood, the researchers asked for access to their smellbook pages if they possess one. Allen et al. coded 92 Facebook pages for number of friends, community with friends, friend displays of support, hostile profile biographies, and inappropriate pictures.They excessively surveyed these 92 young adults on the character of their friendships and symptoms of depression. Finally, they asked friends of t he participants to complete the Young Adult expression Checklist. by and by performing an ordinary least(prenominal) squares hierarchical multiple regressions on each unsettled, these Online Social Networkings Effect on girlish Social Development researchers found preteens who had displayed negativity in friendships and reported symptoms of depression were slight likely to possess a social networking profile.In contrast, early adolescents who reported more positive intimate friendships were more liable(predicate) to possess a webpage. This article overly supports the full-bodied get richer possibility. Kramer N. C and pass S (2008) did a study on how self? esteem, extraversion, self? efficacy, and self? institution are affected by online social networking. Their first hypothesis explored the relationship amongst presenting oneself on social networking sites and extraversion. They conducted their study on 58 young people who were members of studiVZ, which is a German soci al networking website much like Facebook.These youths completed a survey on their level of extraversion, self? esteem, and ability to efficaciously present themselves. Then the participants profiles were assessed based on numbers of friends, groups, photos, biographical fields completed, and words. They also checked profiles for sure names, political leanings, and relationship status. The researchers conducted a multivariate analytic thinking of variance use extroversion as the s circuit board factor. They discovered a positive correlation existed among forthcoming individuals and a more creative profile picture.However, no other significant relationships showed up in their analysis. These research findings were inconclusive and support neither the rich get richer nor the social compensation hypothesizes. DeGroot, J. M. , Ledbetter, A. M. , Mao, Y. , Meyer, K. R. , & Swafford, B. (2011) conducted an extensive study on young peoples lifeings towards socially connecting onli ne and self? disclosure as predictors of conference on facebook as well as the level of intimacy in relationships. Their study complicated nine hypotheses, two of which are relevant to this examination of findings on the two motive hypotheses.The researchers ask if online social connection (OSC) has a positive relationship Online Social Networkings Effect on Adolescent Social Development with the frequency of face? to? face conference with Facebook friends and if communicating on Facebook is positively cor extend tod with personal interactions with Facebook friends. There were 325 Facebook users who participated in this study. They were surveyed on their attitude towards online communication and then asked questions about a willy-nilly selected facebook friend.These questions admitd where the friend lived, add of facebook communication with this friend, non? earnings communication with this friend, and how close they were to this friend. After analysis, the results showed tha t OSC has a positive relationship with communication via Facebook when online self-disclosure is low. They also found that personal interaction with a friend made it truly probable for Facebook communication to occur. Evidence for the rich get richer hypothesis is shown in this study.Regan P and Seeves V (2010) analyzed research and discussed the way online social networking could empower young people. The authors apologiseed that adolescents have been the first to use social networking sites because their age group is predisposed to focus on peer interactions and social relations. They also discussed the social detonator model and describe the way in which social networking websites allow young people to maintain existing friendships, make new friends, and search for past friends in order to renew old relationships.Thus online social networks are able to both bridge deck and bond social superior by Online Social Networkings Effect on Adolescent Social Development 10connecting large groups of people in loose networks and allowing for communication that fosters relationship closeness. In their final comments on relationships the authors suggest that self? esteem may be raiseed by the relationships and sapidityings of connection and consolidation these social networks provide. These relationships in networks world power even help socially isolated youths feel more included.People fatigued hours chatting with their friends and browsing profiles on social networking sites. It becomes a compulsive riding robes to confabulate own profile several times in a day for checking friends updates, changing status, and commenting on others photos and videos. Finally it diverts employee precaution from the office work. A study conducted by Nucleus Research with 237 corporate employees shows 77 share of them use Facebook during work hours. And it results in 1. 5% drop in employee productiveness for those companies allowing full access to Facebook (Gaudin, S 2009 ). some other study y Robert half(a) Technology, an IT staffing firm, records 54% of U. S. companies have banned workers from apply social networking sites eon on the contrast (Gaudin, 2009). This was foster affirmed by a survey of 3500 UK companies, it says 233 million hours are lost all calendar month as a result of employees wasting time on social networking sites (Facebook costs business, 2007). Mike Huss, theater director of employment law at Peninsula says All firms should farce access to sites such as Facebook. wherefore should employers allow their workers to waste two hours a day on Facebook when they are being paid to do a job.Portsmouth City Council blocked access to Facebook after it found its 4,500 staff logged on for 270,000 times a month, and they collectively waste 572 hours (71 working days) in fair(a) one month (Kisiel, 2009). This problem is much intense in developed countries and, in extreme cases, the employees are sacked because of this. After all i t is a waste of public money because of social networking sites. According to a report from a Common Sense Media Research Study, many more teens reported a positive impact of social media use on their emotional well-being than a negative one.Most teens dont think their use of social media affects their social and emotional well-being one way or the other. But there are some teens who think that apply social media does affect how they feel about themselves and their social situation. More than one in four teens say that utilise their social networking site makes them feel slight shy (29%) and more outgoing (28%) one in atomic number 23 says it makes them feel more confident (20%), more hot (19%), and more sympathetic to others (19%) and 15% say it makes them feel better about themselves.By comparison, precisely 5% say social networking makes them feel less outgoing 4% feel worse about themselves, less confident, and less popular after exploitation their social networking site and 3% feel shyer. Very few teens think that victimization their social network site makes them more depressed. Among all teen social network users, only 5% say using their social networking site makes them feel more depressed, compared to 10% who say it makes them feel less depressed.Even among the least dexterous teens in this study (the 10% of all teens who say they are frequently meritless or depressed and arent very happy with their lives), 18% say using their social networking site makes them feel more depressed, plot 13% say it lessens their depression. In particular, teens think that using social media has helped their relationships. Half (52%) of all teen social media users say using such media has generally helped their relationships with friends, compared to just 4% who say social media use has principally mischief their relationships.Similarly, more than a third (37%) says social media use has mainly helped their relationships with family members, compared to 2% w ho say it has mainly hurt them. In addition, a legal age of teens say social media help them keep in touch with friends they cannot see regularly (88%), get to know other students at their school better (69%), and connect with new people who share a crude interest (57%). Finally, social networking site that was once legal opinion to be helping people crosswise the world to unite and making new relationship can also molest the relationship and make life miserable.Imagine one day you find, your spouse updated his marital status to single on Facebook. And people add-in comments about your sad tell on up. How nickel-and-dime(prenominal) has our relationships in the age of social networking become? A survey by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) reveals Facebook is the main cause behind one out of five divorces in the US. It also says 80 percent of divorce lawyers use social networking site to gather evidence. Flirty messages, photographs and other personal cultur e that you share on Facebook can be utilise as proof of infidelity.Mark Keenan, managing director of Divorce Online says The most common reason is people having inappropriate sexual chats with people they were not supposed to (Facebook causes one, 2010). Facebook is fuelling divorce rate because it easily reunites old lovers and acts as a secret platform for dating. A research conducted on 308 Facebook users found majority of participants (74. 6%) are likely to add previous romantic or sexual henchman as friends on Facebook. John, M (2009). It also shows time spent on Facebook transport magnitude jealousy related tonuss. Some peoples lirting comment on your profile can make your partner feeling aggressive and jealousy. And this starts the beginning of a break up. Dr. Marlene Maheu, author of the book Infidelity on the Internet and a Psychologist, says Cyber Infidelity occurs when a partner in a act relationship uses the reckoner or the internet to violate promises concernin g sexual exclusiveness (Maheu, 2002). at present social networking sites make it easier, with situations whereby your spouse does not feel good to have sex with you but seeks sexual solicitation from a facebook friend.In fact, there are sites dedicated to facebook imposture facebook swindling. com providing tips on how to catch a cheating spouse in the social networking sites. 2. 2. well-disposed NETWORKING SITES AND STUDENTS ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE The impact of the social networking site on fosterage is an important issue that has caught both educators and practitioners vigilance in recent years. There is a growing body of studies emphasizing that individuals are infix in their societies.Thus, the related social structure, though sometimes invisible, is often associated with cockal outcomes, including power, innovation, knowledge outcomes, and job performance. Haythornthwaite examined the distance learners interactions in class and profiled students roles and nurture ex heig hten among distance learners social networks. In a university course, Guldner and Stone-Winestock empirically demonstrate that appropriate arrangement of groups according to each students position in a social network might increase the students learning satisfaction and academic performance.Students are pay more help towards these social networking activities sooner than utilizing this time for their studies and this surely affects their academic performance as Thomas (1987) stated that activities of students are associated with grade-related differences among them. Several studies have been through with(p) regarding social networking and grades. Whittemore School of Business and Economics recently conducted a survey of over 1,000 students. They asked questions regarding which social network sites were utilise, how much time they spent on a site, what their grade head average (grade point average) was, and what they were going to school for.It was concluded that there is no c orrelation between how much time is spent on a social networking site and grades (Martin, 2009). The University of newborn Hampshire rack ups, and believes that current college students grew up in the applied science era and social networking is now just a part of a students routine routine. Their research show that 63% of large(p) users received high grades, compared to 65% of light users (U of NH, 2009). The University of New Hampshire verbalize that a majority of students use social networking for social connections and entertainment, but are also using it for statement and professional reasons.Northwestern University recently published research stating that social networking sites are not touch on students grade point averages. In fact, ethnic background, and parental education appears to have more of an act upon than the amount of time used on social networking sites. Northwestern researchers believe that social networking use didnt affect the difference in GPAs betwee n male and female or white and African American students. However, social network use did eliminate the difference in GPAs between students whose parents had differing levels of higher education Cheng, J. 2010). When researchers controlled the demographic of parental education, there seemed to be a positive relationship between internet use and GPA. However, there are ever so two sides to every story. Karpinski focused on the relationship between time spent on Facebook and the academic performance of students (San Miguel, 2009). The general finding indicated more time on Facebook equals slightly disgrace grades San Miguel, (2009). In Karpinskis study the average Facebook user had a GPA of 3. 0 to 3. 5, sequence the non-Facebook user had a GPA of 3. 5-4. 0.Also, the average Facebook user canvass for 1-5 hours per week, plot of ground the non-Facebook user would student 11-15 hours per week. Many researchers are aware that Facebook is not the only thing that could possibly be pi ckings away study time. However, 55% of those surveyed access their pages several times a day or at least once a day for a long period of time (San Miguel, 2009). Kirschnera revealed that students who multi-task between social networking sites and homework are likely to have 20% lower grades than a student who does not have a social networking site in visual range.Kirschnera believes that even political campaign a social networking site on the background on a students PC while study or doing homework could lower a students grade. He believes that the problem is that most people have Facebook or other social networking sites, their e-mails and perhaps instant messaging constantly running in the background while they are carrying out their tasks (Enriquez, J. G. 2010). Users of Facebook have an average GPA of 3. 06, while non-users have an average suspension of 3. 82 (Choney, 2010). Facebook, and other social media websites, are beginning to take up more time due to our alliances increase assent on computing machines.At the American Educational Research Association 2009 annual conference a presentation stated that United States college students who use social networking sites tend to have lower grades. Again, researchers found the same findings as Karpinski. Students who work tends to use social networking sites less than those students who are more activities based within campus. However, researchers indicated that they could not be certain that Facebook use was the direct link to lower grades because of less studying but they felt that it was an obvious connection to make (Schneider, 2009).Englander (2010) proclaimed that internet routine is negatively associated with academic performance of student users and destructive impact of internet fashion is far more momentous than its advantages. Internet addiction has come forth as a result of striking boost in internet usage over the past few decades. Nalwa. K. , Anand. A. P (2003) proposed that accustom users prefer using internet aspect back their personal and professional responsibilities and this eventually leads to poor academic performance. Kubey, R. W. , Lavin, M. J. , and Barrows, J. R. 2001) proposed that impairment of academic performance and internet addiction are correlated with the use of synchronous communication applications including social networking sites and chat rooms. Similarly, Banquil and Burce (2009) found a continuing drop of grades among student users of social networking sites. Also, Boogart and Robert (2006) declared that use of social networking sites and Facebook detrimental impacts on academic performance of student users. Then, Grabmeier (2009) observed lower GPAs among students who log in any social networking sites.Internet abuses are increasing at an alarming rate and pose forward a serious impoverishment to promote usage regulations among student users. while using social networking sites, issues of privacy, identity protection, and e-profe ssionalism mustiness be paid attention. Students, using internet more, scored higher on reading skills run and had higher grades as well (Linda 2006). Also it has been found that Facebook usage is helpful for bring back in case of some psychological problems including low life-satisfaction and low self-esteem (Ellison et al. , 2007).Social networking sites also provide a rich mean of interaction between teachers and students as stated by Roblyer (2010). Shah (2001) proposed that selective informational use of internet is positively correlated with civic indicators of social capital such as civic engagement, social trust, and life contentment. Pasek, J. , Kenski K. , Romer D. , Jamieson K. H. (2006) stated that a site-specific culture can both positive and negatively affect the building of social capital and found that Facebook usage is not positively associated with lower grades of the students rather found Facebook users gain ground higher grades.No association was found betw een GPAs of student users and Facebook usage in a study conducted by Kolek, E. A and Saunders, D (2008). Social networking sites promote interactivity among students and teachers. In a research Lovitts, B. E and Nelson, C. (2000) found that severe integration of students into their professional and social life is sturdily correlated to the successful effect of their degree. In view of the contrasting findings mentioned above, genuine study specifically aims at exploring the relationship between social networking sites usage and educational performance of the student users.CHAPTER THREE hypothetical FRAMEWORK In this study, two hypothetical orientations in sociology shall be employed to explain the impact of social networking sites on the academic performance of students. These sociological come alonges are Uses and bliss possibility, a perspective that places more focus on the consumer or audience kinda of the actual message itself and Media colony opening which posits th at media influence is find out by the interrelations between the media, its audience, and society.The study is anchored on both theories. 3. 1Uses and gladness Theory According to Katz (1959), gratification theory is concerned with what people do with media rather than what media does to people. Sociologists such as Louis Wirth (1897-1952) and Talcott Parsons (19021979) have emphasized the importance of mass media as instruments of social control. What mass communication scholars today refer to as the uses and gratifications approach is generally recognized to be a sub-tradition of media effects research (McQuail, 1994).Early in the history of communications research, an approach was developed to study the gratifications that attract and hold audiences to the kinds of media and the types of content that satisfy their social and psychological unavoidably ( stomachtril, 1942). Much early effects research adopted the experimental or quasi-experimental approach, in which communicati on conditions were manipulated in search of general lessons about how better to communicate, or about the unintended consequences of messages (Klapper, 1960). Assumption of Uses and Gratifications Theory The assumptions of uses and gratifications theory are as engage . There is not merely one way that people use media but there are many ways and reasons for using it (Blumer, 1979). 2. People have voluntary to decide how they will use media and how it will affect them. 3. People using media can read the influence media has on them as well as the idea that users choose media alternatives merely as a content to an end (Katz, 1959). Uses and gratifications researchers produced multiple responses. Katz, Gurevitch, and Haas (1973) assembled a panoptic list of social and psychological needs said to be satisfied by exposure to mass media.Rosengren (1974), attempting to theoretically rectify uses and gratifications, suggested that certain basic needs interact with personal characterist ics and the social milieu of the individual to produce perceived problems and perceived solutions. Those problems and solutions get different motives for gratification behavior that can come from using the media or other activities. Together media use or other behaviors produce gratification (or non-gratification) that has an impact on the individual or society, thereby start the process anew. Application of Uses and Gratifications Theory to this studySocial networking sites are numerous and effective in disseminating information quickly. The rate at which information is wretched roughly the world is very high that in a twinkling of an eye a piece of information can travel from one end of the world to other. Social networking sites available in Nigeria include Facebook, Twitter and Yahoo chat among others. There are many ways and reasons for using these social networking sites. The most common reason for using them by students is to meet and relate with friends both within cou ntry and around the world.In reality, there is no law as to which of the sites people and especially students can visit and when and how they can visit them. In Nigeria both young and old are on the loose(p) to join any of these social networks at will and in essence many young people have been absorb in using them. The proliferation of Global organisation Mobile (GSM) in the country has authentically put the utility of these social networks on the hands of people most especially students. As a result of this, students environment is charged with nothing but shouting of pinging and chatting both day and night. Negative effect of social networking sites cannot be underemphasized.The focus of this study is the effect of these social networking sites among Obafemi Awolowo University students. The effect can be seen mostly on the academic performance of the students and their social life. This can be linked to the number of hours pinging and chatting is taking out of their time. Ma ny students prefer securing phones that can lop to buying textbooks and lecture materials needed for their academics. It has been the habit of many students to be chatting while lectures are on and some even take it into examination hall to perpetrate examination malpractice.The failure of uses and gratifications theory to underscore the relationship between social network, its audience and society necessitated the use of a complimentary theory. Media Dependency Theory Media dependency theory is a theoretical approach which establishes that media influence is determined by the interrelations among the media, the audience, and society (DeFleurand Ball-Rokeach, 1982). The individuals desire for information from the media is the primary(a) shifting in explaining why media messages have cognitive, affective, or versatile effects.Media dependency is high when an individuals goal satisfaction relies on information from the media system (Ball-Rokeach, 1985). Rubin and Windahl (1986) au gmented the dependency model to include the gratifications seek by the audiences an interactive component with media dependency. For Rubin and Windahl, the combination of gratifications desire and socially determined dependency produced media effects. They argued that dependency on a medium or a message results when individuals either advisedly seek out information or ritualistically use specific communication media bring or messages.For example, McIlwraith (1998) found that self-labeled TV addicts often used television to perturb themselves from acerb thoughts, to regulate moods, and to fill time. Application of Media dependency Theory to this study The failure of uses and gratifications theory to consider the relationship among the social network, the users and the society necessitates the use of media dependency theory. The characteristics of the users will determine the level and volume of interaction between the users and the social network.The type of information sought will also have effect on the dependency of the users on the network. cosmos under study is students who are mostly unmarried youths. The large population of interest has increased the intensity of use of social network among the students. The satisfaction derived from using the social network has turned thousands of students social network addicts. Society at large seems not to be helping the trend. Family and parents contribution is fire in the sense that they are the ones procuring the handsets to their wards.Government, schools and ghostlike organizations are yet to have influence over how people, especially students, are using these social networking sites. Conceptual framework Variables are set out in this part. These variables include independent variable, dependent variable(s) and intervening variable(s). free-lance variable is the variable that is systematically manipulated so that the effect on the dependent variable can be observed. Dependent variable is the outcome v ariable which is hypothesized to vary under an influence. Figure 3. Conceptual framework of the effect of social networking sites on the academic performance. autonomous Variable Dependent Variable interact Variables Good academic performance It is my assumption that students who use social networking sites get disposed to it, they use the sites during classes and experience reduction in their study time. These would lead to poor academic performance. However, a reduction in time spent on social networking sites would result in good academic performance. HypothesesBased on the assumptions, the following hypotheses can be derived speculation 1 there is no relationship between social networking sites and students academic performance. Hypothesis 2 there is no relationship between the sex of a students and preference of social networking sites. CHAPTER quaternary METHODOLOGY The aim of this air division is to present in detail the method that was used in carrying out this stu dy. It deals with the process taken in carrying out the study under investigation. Quantitative technique was and involving the administration of questionnaire.This chapter thus discusses research form, the area of the study or population of interest, sample size and sample procedures, selective information collection method, validation of research instrument and testing, and method of entropy analysis. 4. 1 RESEARCH DESIGN This study is a survey design research as it gears towards understanding the effect of social networking sites on academic performance. However, for the purpose of this study, cross-sectional design was used since the idea was to measure some variables at a single time and besides, most surveys are cross-sectional. . 2AREA OF THE STUDY AND race OF INTEREST This study was conducted among students of Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife. Ile-Ife is a townsfolk in Osun State, South-Western Nigeria. Osun State was carved out of Oyo Sate on August 27, 1991 during t he politics of General Ibrahim Babangida. Its capital is Osogbo. Osun State is inland and occupies 9251 kilometers. The university was founded in 1962. the university was formerly called university of Ife and was later changed to Obafemi Awolowo University in 1987 following the death of one of its co-founder.The university is find on a large field of land totaling 11,861 hectares in Ile-Ife. The university has many structures and human re rises. The university comprises of over 25,000 students, central campus, residential area for students, staff quarters, teaching and non-teaching staff as well as teaching infirmary and a research farm. 3. SAMPLING size AND SAMPLING PROCEDURE The population of interest for this study is Obafemi Awolowo University students. The sampling method that will be used for this study is inadvertent sampling which falls under non-probability sampling.Therefore, people will be selected based on their availability. Overall, the sample of hundred people w ill be investigated with the instrument, questionnaire. From the sample selected, the information as regards the previously stated objectives will be collected from the selected respondents and the information will be used to prove the hypothesis right or wrong. 4. 4 METHOD OF information COLLECTION The research methodology used for this study was quantitative research methodology and it commanded the use of questionnaire as an instrument for amass data in this study.This questionnaire was self administered to the respondents in other to gather data relevant to the issues under discussion. However, for good understanding of the impact of social networking sites on students academic performance, primary data was used because data from the source is preferably to data that has been collected previously in which little is known whether it is correct or not and based on the fact that change is constant as things can change at anytime and it will be bad to rely on false information. Therefore, the primary source of data was used for this study as it provided basic reliable and cover information from the respondents. Primary data refers to data obtained from the originator of the data (Fagboungbe 1993). The questionnaire was the major source of my data collection. For the purpose of this study, interview cannot be used because not many students have much time to spend with the interviewer because of other activities they may want to attend to and for this reason, interview method would be time consume because moving from ne person to another with interview guide with a view of collecting data from them would be difficult. Hence, the questionnaire in this case was divided into four sections instalment A solicited for information on the socio-economic data of the students, Section B was concerned with the questions on the impacts of socio-networking sites on students social life. Section C inquired more information on the effects of social networking sites on s tudents academic performance. Finally, section D asked information on the commonly used social networking site and the reason for the preference. 4. VALIDATION OF RESEARCH INSTRUMENT The instrument was validated using face validity. The questions asked in this questionnaire totally reflected what was needed to understand the view of respondents on the impact of social networking sites on students academic performance. In short, the questions asked in this questionnaire are germane to the issue of social networking sites and students academic performance. METHOD OF DATA ANALYSIS The data was collected from the participants and was subjected to statistical analysis using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) computer software for windows.The responses of the participants were subjected to analysis using descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages. The analysis of the data was done in stages. Firstly, the data was pre-coded for easy penetration of the data i nto spreadsheet. Secondly, the coded data was carefully entered into a spreadsheet and therefore, proper verification of the data entered into the spreadsheet was made. Thirdly, the analysis of the data was done and panels showing the frequencies and percentages of the results of analysis were derived.The fourth and last stage showed the version of the results of the analysis. Lastly, the basis of decision is making inferences on result of analysis of the responses that were given by the respondents and consequently, the result of analysis of the responses supplied by the respondents was compared with the literature review and the theories used. After these, decisions were drawn from the students responses. CHAPTER fin DATA ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS oftenness dissemination of respondents by socio demographic characteristicsThe table shows the dissemination of respondents by their socio demographic characteristics the diffusion by sex shows that 68% of the responden ts were males while 32% of them were female. As regards the age of the respondents 26% of the respondents were in the age range 15-20, 55% were in the age group 21-25, 17% of them were in the age group 26-30 while 2% were in the age group 30 and above. Also, the religious affiliation also shows that 79% were of the Christian faith while 21% of the respondents were Muslims.More so, the distribution by ethnicity also shows that 70% were Yoruba, 8% of them were Hausa, and 16% were Igbo while the remaining 6% were from other tribes. The distribution by marital status also shows that 87% of them were singles while 13% of the respondents were also married. Socio demographic characteristic relative frequency % Sex Male 68 68. 0 Female 32 32. 00 follow blow carbon. 00 Age 15-20 26 26. 0 21-25 55 55. 00 26-30 17 17. 00 30 and above 2 2. 00 keep down vitamin C snow. 0 phantasmal affiliation Christianity 79 79. 00 Islam 21 21. 00 keep down atomic number 6 10 0. 0 Ethnicity Yoruba 70 70. 00 Hausa 8 8. 00 Igbo 16 16. 00 Others 6 6. 0 aggregate 100 100. 00 Marital status genius 87 87. 00 Married 13 13. 0 Total 100 100. 00 initiation line subject field 2013 oftenness distribution of respondents by the social networking sites and social life. The table shows the fable of respondents by their social networking sites and social life as regards using my social networking site has helped connect me with new people who share a common interest, hobby or active of mine shows that 83% potently agree,12% powerfully discord while 5% said there is no comment.Also, regarding using my social networking site often divert me when I should be paying attention to the people Im with showed that 37% of them strongly agree, 46% strongly differ while 17% had no comment. More so, the distribution by using my social networking site has helped me stay in touch with friends I cant see on a regular basis indicated that 90% strongly agree, 9% strongly disagree while 1% had no comment. Social networking sites and social life relative frequency % apply my social networking site has helped me stay in touch with friends I cant see on a regular basis potently agree powerfully disagree 90 90. 0 No comment 9 9. 00 Total 1 1. 00 100 100. 0 employ my social networking site has helped connect me with new people who share a common interest, hobby, or activity of mine strongly agree strongly disagree 83 83. 00 No comment 12 12. 0 Total 5 5. 00 100 100. 00 Using my social networking site often distract me when I should be paying attention to the people Im with Strongly agree 37 37. 0 Strongly disagree 46 46. 00 No comment 17 17. 00 Total 100 100. 0 Using my social networking site has helped me be more aware of current events Strongly agree 90 90. 00 Strongly disagree 8 8. 00 No comment 2 2. 0 Total 100 100. 00 SOURCE FIELD SURVEY 2013 Frequency distribution of respondents by s ocial networking sites and academic performance The table shows the distribution of respondents by social networking sites and academic performance those who said they presently have a profile on a social networking site 95% of them has while 5% does not have. Also, with those who often visit the site 76% of them visit there very often, 9% seldom visits there while 15% visits the site sometimes.Regarding those who visit the site to text or message people while in class 73% of the respondents sometimes use the site while 43% said no. regarding changes in your grade in class 35% said they discover it while 65% said they did not notice any change in their grade. Social networking sites and academic performance Frequency % Do you currently have a profile on a social networking site such as Facebook, Myspace, or some other site? Yes No 95 95. 00 Total 5 5. 00 100 100. 00 How often do you visit this site? Very often 76 76. 00 seldom 9 9. 00 Sometimes 15 15. 00 Tota l 100 100. 0 Do you sometimes use this site to text or messaging people while in class? Yes 57 57. 00 No 43 43. 00 Total 100 100. 0 get you noticed any change in your grade in class? Yes No 35 35. 00 Total 65 65. 00 100 100. 0 SOURCE FIELD SURVEY 2013 Frequency distribution of respondents by commonly used social networking site The table shows the distribution of respondents by commonly used social networking site those who said they were using the social networking 54% shows that they were using Facebook, 3% of them were using 2go, 27% of them were using Twitter, 4% were using Myspace while 12% of them were using other social networking sites. With those who said they cannot do in a day without see the site shows that 61% said yes while 39% said no. ith the main way you check your social networking site 61% shows that from my cell phone or other mobile device, 17% were checking from a laptop or desktop computer while 22% were using both as. Commonly used social networking site Frequency % Which social networking do you mainly use? Facebook 54 54. 0 2go 3 3. 00 Twitter 27 27. 00 Myspace 4 4. 00 Others 12 12. 0 Total 100 100. 00 Can you do in a day without visiting this site? Yes 61 61. 00 No 39 39. 0 Total 100 100. 00 What is the main way you check your social networking site? From my cell phone or other mobile device From a laptop or desktop computer 61 61. 0 Both equally 17 17. 00 Total 22 22. 00 100 100. 00 SOURCE FIELD SURVEY 2013 5. 5Test of hypotheses 1. There is no relationship between the sex of student and preference of social networking sites. 2.There is no relationship between social networking sites and students academic performance. Hypothesis 1 Ho there exist no relationships between the sex of students and preference of social networking sites H1 there exists a relationship between the sex of students and preference of social networking sites. time value Degree of freedom p-value P earson chi-square 0. 4417 2 0. 802 scathing region reject Ho if p-value