The Relationship Between the Nature of Academic Use of Social Media and the Academic Performance among Secondary Students

Abstract

Obviously, we are living with new technological advances which affect our everyday life. On top of that, social media is becoming popular for culture, particularly for the graduates. This study sought to the relationship between the nature of academic use of social media and the academic performance, A case study of Mawenzi, Moshi Technical and Majengo secondary schools. This study used descriptive research design and both qualitative and quantitative approaches were adopted. The population of this study consists of students from Majengo, Moshi Technical and Mawenzi secondary schools. A total of 346 respondents were provided questionnaires, with 8 (2%) having incomplete questionnaires and so being eliminated from analysis, leaving 338 for analysis. The 338 respondents retained for analysis represented 98% of the total sample. This study employed simple random sampling. Also, this study used both primary and secondary data. Quantitative data collected through questionnaire was analysed using both inferential and descriptive statistics. Qualitative data was analysed using content analysis. The findings showed that, the nature of academic use of the social media found to have a positive and significant relationship with academic performance. Secondary students must work on making enjoyable social media helpful by marketing them as a tool for not only conversation and pleasure but also study. Furthermore, students must be aware of the possible harm from excessive social media usage and approach the learning process and academic achievement appropriately. Future studies could be conducted in different secondary schools located in rural and urban areas in Tanzania to see the situation of the academic performance of students.