Effects Of Social Media Platforms On Students Academic Performance Of Kumasi Girls Senior High School And Prempeh College

Abstract

Social media platforms have become an interesting part of student life as a result of their features and mediums of usage. It is against this premise that this study sought to investigate the effects of social media platforms on the performance of students in Kumasi Girls Senior High School and Prempeh College. The study employed the descriptive survey design with a sample size of 200 senior high school day students from the two schools. The instrument used in data collection was the questionnaire. The results were presented using percentages and frequencies in addition to means and standard deviations. The study found that the majority of respondents used Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, Google + and Messenger. The study again revealed that SHS students used social media platforms to a large extent. In addition, many students were of the view that social media platforms had a negative effect on their academic performance as they distracted them from their studies since they became addicted to it. Lastly the study discovered that social media platforms can be used to enhance students’ performance in diverse ways. Based on the findings, it was recommended that there should be a strict enforcement of rules in senior high schools with regard to the use of social media platforms and there should be counseling for addicted students. Again, there should be the promotion of the social media platforms usage by both teachers and students for academic purposes.