KNOWLEDGE AND ROLE OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF NURSING STUDENTS IN BENSON IDAHOSA UNIVERSITY.

Abstract

Understanding the influence of social media on academic outcomes is critical for modern nursing education, given the widespread adoption of digital tools among students. The study examined the knowledge and role of social media on the academic performance of nursing students at Benson Idahosa University. The study was guided by four objectives. A descriptive cross-sectional research design was employed, and data were collected using a self structured questionnaire administered to 277 nursing students selected through a stratified random sampling technique to ensure representation across all levels of study. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation. Findings revealed that respondents demonstrated good knowledge of academic social media use, with 69.3% exhibiting good knowledge. Regarding the pattern and frequency of use, students frequently used WhatsApp (75.8%), YouTube (65.7%), and Telegram (45.1%) for educational purposes, with an overall mean of 3.03, indicating positive engagement. The effect of social media on academic performance was largely positive, improving understanding, motivation, interactive learning, and collaboration, with an overall mean of 3.18. Nevertheless, respondents reported some challenges, including distractions, excessive chatting, unreliable academic content, and poor internet connectivity, with an overall mean of 3.12, highlighting areas of concern. The study concluded that social media, when used responsibly, enhances academic performance among nursing students. Recommendations include promoting digital literacy training, structured guidance, and institutional policies to maximize educational benefits while minimizing negative impacts. Keywords: Knowledge, Role, Social media, Academic performance, Nursing students.