THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA USAGE ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AMONG UNDERGRADUATES IN ONDO STATE

This study investigates the impact of social media usage on the academic performance of undergraduate students in Ondo State, Nigeria. Employing a descriptive survey research design, data were collected from 150 students across four tertiary institutions: Adekunle Ajasin University, Achievers University, Federal University of Technology, Akure, and Ondo State University of Science and Technology. The research examined usage patterns, positive and negative effects, academic collaboration, and strategies for optimizing social media use. Findings revealed that WhatsApp is the most utilized platform, followed by TikTok, Facebook, and Twitter, with students spending an average of three hours daily on social media, often during study hours. Social media facilitates access to educational resources, peer collaboration, and skill development, positively influencing academic performance when used purposefully. However, excessive use leads to distractions, reduced study time, and potential addiction, with a statistically significant weak to moderate negative correlation (r = -0.262, p = 0.001) between daily social media hours and GPA. Despite these challenges, the average GPA of 3.53 suggests students maintain strong academic performance through effective time management. The study recommends digital literacy programs, institutional integration of social media for academic purposes, affordable data access, and further research to enhance its educational benefits while mitigating drawb