INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON INFORMATION SERVICE DELIVERY TO PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN MAKURDI TOWN

ABSTRACT This study investigated influence of social media on information service delivery to private secondary schools in Makurdi town. The study has six research questions. The study employed descriptive survey design. The area of this study was Makurdi town. The population of the study comprises secondary schools in the study area. The sample size for the study was 384 students. The instrument for data collection was questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed using simple percentage and frequencies. Findings from the study revealed that social media platforms are increasingly becoming essential tools for information sharing and communication. Also, one significant positive influence of social media platforms is that it allows students to share and access a wide range of academic materials, fostering collaboration and peer learning. Moreso, while social media is widely used and valued by students for academic purposes there are concerns regarding its impact on focus and the need for proper guidance in its use for learning. Social media plays a significant role in students' academic activities, particularly in accessing academic resources, engaging in discussions, and receiving school updates. Furthermore, improving infrastructure, enhancing digital literacy, implementing policies, ensuring security, and securing institutional support are critical strategies for optimizing social media use in academic environments. Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations were made; educational institutions should integrate social media into official communication channels for structured information dissemination. Also, schools should encourage collaborative learning by creating subject-specific forums, discussion groups, and academic networks. Moreso, orientation sessions and digital literacy programs should be provided to guide students on balancing social media use for learning while avoiding distractions. Also, teachers and librarians should actively use social media to share educational content, conduct virtual discussions, and provide academic updates. Furthermore, schools and policymakers should develop structured policies to regulate and support the responsible use of social media for academic purposes. The study concluded that social media significantly influences information service delivery in private secondary schools in Makurdi town by enhancing access to academic resources, fostering collaboration among students, and facilitating school communication, but its effective use requires proper guidance, digital literacy, and institutional support to mitigate distractions and maximize its benefits