INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT CREATION ON STUDENTS’ ATTITUDE TO ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES

The study evaluated how impactful digital media, internet and social media content making on students’ attitude towards academic activities. The objectives of the study is to determine the extent to which social media content creation influences students’ perception of academic activities, also to identify the specific aspects of social media content creation that affect students’ attitude towards their studies. The study focused on the following concepts; social media, academic activities, reading habits and content creation. The theoretical studies’ reviewed for the study was based on the Social Learning Theory, Uses and Gratification and Technological Determinism Theory. The study reviewed different literatures like Dr. Mitsuhi Singh, (2016) on the impact of student’s attitudes towards social media use in education on their academic performance. Survey method was used that allowed data gathering from two hundred and eight (208) respondents was adopted, while two hundred (200) copies of the questionnaire were retrieved and processed. The population for this study comprised all students enrolled at Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (Mapoly). They are about 13, 000 students according to the Institution Public Relations Officer, with 4500 students from SCIT, 3000 from SBMS, 2500 from school of sciences, 1500 from school of engineering while 1500 students from other schools. Primary and secondary sources of data gathering were employed. The data collected through the questionnaire was analysed and presented through the use of tables. The study revealed that students’ engagement in social media content creation has both positive and negative effects on their academic performance, according to 82% of them. The data suggested that while some students see social media as a platform for creativity and learning, others experience distractions that reduce focus on academic tasks. The study concluded that it is important for universities and schools to offer support for students in managing the emotional and psychological pressure associated with social media. Programs on stress management, digital wellness, and maintaining a healthy online presence can help students balance their academic and social media activities. Encouraging a focus on well-being can alleviate the mental strain that often accompanies the pursuit of online popularity or content creation. The study therefore, recommended that educational institutions could provide guidance on how to use social media effectively for academic purposes, students should be encouraged to develop strong time management skills. Effective scheduling of study time alongside social media content creation can help students strike a balance between their academic responsibilities and their extracurricular interests.