| Title: | Influence of Fake News on Academic Performance of Nigerian Students: A Study of Legacy University, Okija, Nigeria |
| Author(s): | Onuegbu Okechukwu Christopher, Anunike Ogonna Wilson & Abodunrin Kemi |
| Abstract: | The study was aimed at ascertaining the influence of fake news on academic performance of Nigerian students with a focus on students of Legacy University, Okija, Anambra State, Nigeria. It was hinged on cultivation theory with five study objectives which are to: assess the level of exposure of Legacy University Okija students to fake news on social media platforms, identify the social media platforms Legacy University Okija students mostly encounter fake news; determine the influence of fake news on the academic performance of students of Legacy University, Okija; examine how fake news influences the academic performance of students of Legacy University, Okija, and ascertain the media literacy among Legacy University Okija students in identifying and verifying fake news. It tested one hypothesis to establish relationships between exposure to fake news and academic performance of the students. The study adopted descriptive survey design and administered structured questionnaire on 260 respondents chosen based on Krejcie & Morgan (1970) sample size recommendation. The study found that exposure to fake news affects students academically. It was also found that fake news could influence the students CGPA due to academic anxiety and other factors. It was concluded that exposure to fake news had a significant relationship to students' academic performance and this could lead to low CGPA. The study hereby among other things, media literacy training and restraining among the students for easy detection and dismissing of fake news. |
| Keywords: | Academic performance, CGPA, Fake news, Social media influence, Legacy University, Nigeria |
| Volume & Issue: | Vol: 14, Issue: 3 |
