Relationship Between Social Media Use and Study Habits of Computer Science Students in Tertiary Institutions in Zamfara State, Nigeria
Nafiu Isah Aliyu
1&2Department of Science Education, Faculty of Education, School of Postgraduate, Sokoto State University, Sokoto State, Nigeria. Email: nafiualiyuisah@fcetgusau.edu.ng
Abstract
This study examined the relationship between social media use and study habits among Computer Science students in tertiary institutions in Zamfara State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional descriptive correlational survey design was used. The population comprised 2,538 Computer Science students in six tertiary institutions. Three institutions were purposively selected because of time and security constraints; their combined enrolment was 1,293, and 307 students participated. Data were collected with a 10-item structured questionnaire consisting of five social media-use items and five study-habit items. Mean and standard deviation answered the descriptive research questions, while Pearson's product-moment correlation answered the relationship question and tested the null hypothesis at the .05 significance level. Students reported frequent social media use (M = 3.04, SD = 0.82). All five activities were rated as frequent, although academic use had the lowest item mean (M = 2.99, SD = 0.79). Study habits were generally weak (M = 2.00, SD = 0.81), with all item means below the 2.50 decision point. Social media use was moderately and negatively related to study habits, r(305) = -.465, p = .001. The null hypothesis was therefore rejected. The findings indicate an association, not a causal effect: students who reported greater social media use also tended to report less consistent study routines. The study recommends practical support for digital self-regulation, structured study schedules, and purposeful academic use of social media.
Keywords: Concept Social media use, Study habits, Computer Science students, Tertiary education, Zamfara State
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