A Qualitative Exploration of University Undergraduates’ Perspectives about the Effects of Social-Media on their Academic Performance

Although digital technologies are well integrated in higher education settings, however, despite of growing corpus of research on the outcomes of digital technologies, there is a dearth of evidence from the perspectives of university undergraduates about the impact of social media on their academic performance. This study was an attempt to bridge this gap in the existing body of knowledge by qualitatively measuring the perspectives of students about the effects of social media on their learning outcomes. Using critical theory of technology and case study method, this study explores the perspectives of students about the effects of social media on their learning performance. The findings showed that using of social media has a negative impact on academic performance of students. Social media restricted students to spend time for assignment preparation and its submission in time. Students spent time on social media in non-academic activities such as spending time with friends for entertainment at the cost of their studies. Students secured low academic grades because of spending time on social media. Many students reported about its negative impact on their health like, stress and physical exhaustion due to poor participation in outdoor games or sports. Instructors and administration are suggested to chalk out viable policies for the use of social media among students and its purposeful utilization.