Examining the Impact of Social Media Use on University Students' Learning, Sleeping Habits, and Social Interactions: A Quantitative Analysis

Abstract

Social media use has grown prevalent across the world, affecting the lives of people of all ages, including university students. People may now create, share, and interact with others across long distances because to the increased acceptance of social media platforms. The goal of this study was to investigate the consequences of social media use on university students' learning, sleeping habits, and social interactions. A cross-sectional study approach was used using a sample of 200 students from First Technical University in Ibadan, Nigeria. A questionnaire was utilized to collect data, and statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-squared (Fisher's exact test) method. According to the data, 98% of the participants used social networking sites. Furthermore, 66% of students said that social media addiction had a detrimental influence on their academic performance since they were more drawn to social media engagement. Tiktok was the most widely used social media platform (41%), followed by Snapchat (24%), WhatsApp (19%), Instagram (10%), Telegram (2%), and Twitter (2%). In addition, the survey examined students' sleeping patterns, with 50% reporting bedtime between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m., and 44% sleeping between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. Notably, 71% of students blamed their later bedtime on their use of social media. Finally, half of the respondents admitted that social media had an impact on their social interactions. In conclusion, this study highlights the extensive application of social media among university students and its potential impact on various aspects of their lives. The findings highlight the need for more study and interventions to address the addictive nature of social media, encourage good sleeping habits, and buffer any harmful effects on interactions among this demographic.