Impact of Cell Phone Usage on Nigerian University Students: A Dual-Edged Sword

Abstract

 Cell phone usage among Nigerian university students has become a ubiquitous phenomenon, fundamentally altering the way students interact with their academic environment and social structures. While mobile phones offer unparalleled advantages, including access to information, improved communication and convenience, their usage also poses significant challenges. This paper is anchored on Uses and Gratification (U & G) theory propounded by Jay Blumler and Denis McQuail in 1969. It explores the dual-edged nature of cell phone usage among Nigerian university students, by investigating both the positive and negative implications. The paper advocates the need for a balanced approach to mobile phone usage among Nigerian university students. It was suggested, among other things, that Nigerian universities should implement policies that promote the positive use of mobile phones while mitigating their potential negative effects. University students who use their cell phones to access the internet connection need to pay more attention to the time they spend on the internet for relevant purposes rather than irrelevant activities