INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON THE READING ABILITIES OF UNDERGRADUATES IN UNIVERSITY OF BENIN, BENIN CITY, NIGERIA.

ABSTRACT

This study focuses on surveying the influence of social media on the reading abilities of UNIBEN undergraduates. The study was anchored on the media dependency theory and the magic bullet theory. It became necessary to embark on this study because of the increasing advancement and usage of social media in tertiary institution and how students constantly depend on it. The study employed the survey design with an 8 item questionnaire. The questionnaire was used to elicit data from 397 final year students from UNIBEN. The 397 students which was selected from the 14 faculties in UNIBEN were selected using Taro Yamane’s formula, simple random and purposive techniques. Data obtained were presented using frequency tables and simple percentage. The study found out that social media has a negative effect on the reading abilities of UNIBEN students. It was recommended that students should strike a balance between the time spent online and the attention given to their academics among other things.