| Abstract: |
This paper investigates the impact of Facebook on the study habits of Nigeria undergraduates in this age of the internet. Punning on the word ’Facebook’, it juxtaposes the terminology with ‘’facing your book”. Students of Mass Communication, University of Benin, Nigeria are x –rayed. The problem is to determine the extent to which Facebook distract students from facing their books effectively. The uses and gratification theory is adopted as theoretical framework. The literary and survey methodologies of research are employed, using the questionnaire as instrument for data collection. Furthermore, Taro Yomabe’s formular is used to determine a sample frame of 399 respondents from a population of 512 registered students. Analysis indicates that all respondents have internet - accessed cell phones with Facebook facility. A total of 317 respondents, presenting 61.9% agree that they are tempted to log onto Facebook even during serious academic engagement. Another 370 respondents, representing 93.0% opt that they are influenced positively and negatively by Facebook. Research findings confirm that Facebook is useful for education, socialization, entertainment, relationship building and mobilization. Conversely, the medium can negatively constitute a distraction to effective study, a thief of student’s time and consequently leading to examination malpractice. Research recommends that with an efficient study-time management, personal discipline, determination and hard work; students will excel in academic pursuits. This is more germane in the social media age when undergraduates devote more time to the Facebook instead of facing their book |
