INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL MEDIA LANGUAGE ON STUDENTS' ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE IN SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL IN EGOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, EDO STATE

Abstract:

This study was designed to investigate the influence of social media language on students' academic performance in English language in Egor Local Government Area, Edo State.  Descriptive survey research design was adopted for this study. 200 students selected through the simple random sampling technique participated in the study by providing data which were sought through the use of a questionnaire. The questionnaire was validated by the researcher’s supervisor and it was analysed using descriptive statistics of frequency count and simple percentages. The study revealed that students' addictiveness to social media affect their academic performance. It shows that the use of social media has significant influence on students' academic performance. The time that ought to be channeled towards learning, academic research and innovation have been crushed by the desire to meet new friends online. It reveals that social media has positive influence on students' academic performance if it is put into good use. These include accessing materials online to improve learning, engage in group discussions online with no barrier of distance and watching educational videos to improve learning. It shows that the unlimited access to social media influence the correct use of words while speaking and writing of essays and compositions.  There is also the use of acronyms in class room because social media languages have become internalized.  More so the study shows that to help students improve in academics, there should be a restriction to access of social media. The study reveals that a lot of students will have performed better in their academics and especially English but for social media. The study shows that social media should be controlled and restriction but shouldn't be outrightly banned. It was recommended that public enlightenment programmes should be launched by the government and school administrators to reach out to students on the effect that the excessive use of social media have on their academics. Students should be monitored by parents and teachers on how they use these sites. Teachers should engage social platform in teaching and learning process. This will help condition students to using social media appropriately. Also, assignments in English language should require students to engage the use of social media appropriately. Especially in the teaching of Test of Orals, students should be encouraged to use YouTube to improve articulation of sounds and transcriptions. Students should manage their study time better and prevent distractions that can be provided by social media. There should be a decrease in the number of time student spend surfing the net. Students should create a balance between chit-chatting and academic activities. More attention should be given to research. The use of social media network by students should focus on the academic relevance of those sites instead of using them for negative purposes