THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF BIOLOGY STUDENTS (A CASE STUDY OF SOME SELECTED SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ONDO WEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, ONDO STATE)

ABSTRACT This study was carried out to investigate the impact of social media on the academic performance of biology students (a case study of some selected secondary schools in Ondo West Local Government Area, Ondo State). Data for the study were gathered through the use of a structured questionnaire designed by the researcher for that purpose. Random sampling technique was used to select one hundred (100) students from four (4) secondary schools in Ondo West Local Government Area. All the questionnaires distributed were retrieved. The questionnaire was analysed using frequency counts, percentage and mean using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Based on the findings, the study concludes that the senior secondary school students believed that the use of social media makes learning planning easier as the student communicate through various platforms provided in it help them to obtain and share information on academic activities. It can enhance student's creative skills, facilitate participation in learning and allow free expression of ideas during learning. This study recommended that the stakeholders and especially Communication Commission of Nigeria and network providers’ needs to come up with means of filtering information that reaches the young people through social media platforms. This will help minimize exposing them to immoral sites and other unwarranted materials. Also, the study recommended the strict enforcement of Nigerian policy on Education Service rule on electronic devices usage in schools, promotion of social media usage for academic purpose, counselling for addicted students and the use of the right grammar and spelling when participating on social networks.