ABSTRACT
This research investigated the perceived influence of social media on the social status and performance of student-athletes at the University of Benin, Benin City. To achieve this, the study was guided by five (5) research questions. The population of the study comprised 100 student-athletes across various sports disciplines at the University of Benin. A convenient random sampling technique was used to select 50 student-athletes as respondents. A structured questionnaire was designed as the research instrument, which was validated by the researcher's supervisor and two other experts in the Department of Human Kinetics and Sports Science. The Cronbach Alpha coefficient was used to establish the reliability of the instrument, yielding a reliability score of 0.939. The data collected from the respondents were analyzed using frequency, mean, and standard deviation. Findings from the study indicated that social media plays a role in shaping the social status of student-athletes, as it provides visibility, recognition, and opportunities for engagement with a broader audience. Additionally, social media was perceived to influence athletic performance by serving as a source of motivation, exposure to training techniques, and platforms for competition updates. The study also revealed that student-athletes leverage social media for self-promotion, brand building, and networking, which can enhance their chances of securing sponsorships, scholarships, and professional sports opportunities. However, the study also identified challenges associated with social media usage. Pressure to maintain a positive public image, exposure to negative criticism, misinformation, and distractions were highlighted as factors that could potentially impact student-athletes' performance and mental well-being. The study further found that some student-athletes experience performance anxiety due to increased public scrutiny on social media.
