Technological distractions : the impact of social networking sites use on the academic performance of students at the University of Limpopo

Abstract

Students today are surrounded by vast amounts of technological gadgets that enable communication with friends very easy. Social networking sites, social media and internet have become part of the lives of the students today and the means to their social happiness. This is emphasised by the growing concern over the use of these social networking sites and a growing fear that these sites might actually be causing much damage to the fundamental learning abilities of these students. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of the use social networking sites among the students of the University of Limpopo. Qualitative and quantitative research methods were used in this study to explore the traits of the use of social networking sites from the perspective of the students and the lecturers. The data was collected using survey with structured questionnaires for the students and the face-to-face interview with the lecturers to explore their perception over the use of social networking sites. A total of three hundred and nineteen (319) questionnaires were distributed randomly among the students of University of Limpopo and the researcher received two hundred and ninety seven (297) filled questionnaires. Four face-to-face interviews were carried out at the offices of the lecturers that participated in the study. The study revealed that the social networking site Facebook is used more among students and that cell-phones are their means of accessing the internet and social networking sites. The lecturers however pointed out that there is a need for concern with the constant availability of technology at the reach of these students. However, there is a gradual positive development as the students are becoming more and more self-aware that their use of these sites has portends a negative impact on their academic performance. While there are very remote incidents of text language in academic writing contrary to the students’ perception, the lectures believe that student writing quality exists and that what is often perceived as social networking sites language turns out to be innocent spelling errors. Key words Social networking sites, technology, procrastination, distraction, academic performance