Influence of Social Media Utilisation on Academic Procrastination of Undergraduates in Public Universities in North-Central Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated influence of social media utilisation on academic procrastination of undergraduate students in public universities in North-central Nigeria. Six objectives, two research questions and four hypotheses guided the study. Descriptive-Correlational survey research design was employed for the study. The population of the study comprised of 234,650 regular undergraduates’ in all public universities in North-central Nigeria. A sample of 384 undergraduates were selected for the study. A multi-stage sampling procedure which included, purposive sampling technique, simple random sampling technique and proportionate procedure were employed for the study. Two questionnaires which were validated by experts in the Faculty of Education, University of Abuja were used for data collection. The reliability of the questionnaires was determined using Cronbach Alpha statistics which yielded reliability indexes of 0.79 and 0.82. The data collected was analysed using mean score and standard deviation for research questions while hypotheses were tested using PPMCC, simple regression analysis and Independent samples t-test. The findings revealed a high extent of social media utilisation among undergraduates.  The finding also indicated a significant effect of SM utilisation on academic procrastination of undergraduate students in public universities in North-central Nigeria. It was recommended that University authorities and academics should incorporate digital literacy programmes to educate students on proper utilisation of social media related platforms.  University authorities and academics should synergise and collaborate with one another to periodically organise workshops, symposiums and other programmes that could educate undergraduate students on time management skills, self-discipline and self-regulation