INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON THE WRITING AND READING ABILITY OF BOWEN UNIVERSITY UNDERGRADUATES

Abstract

Social media particularly Facebook and Twitter usage contribute to students positively and negatively depend on the users and the purpose for it use, it is on this thrust that the research examined the influence of social media on the writing and reading ability of Bowen University undergraduates. The research is anchored on Technology Determinism Theory which was explained and related carefully to this result with the aim of given depth to the research. The research also used survey research design coupled with 120 copies of questionnaires that were administered to respondents in Bowen University, Iwo Osun State who were simple randomly selected from which 100 copies were correctly filled and analyzed using frequency and percentage table method with SPSS version 20. Findings show that many of the students use their social media account for chatting, linking up with friends, business and education purposes with the believe that the platforms are doing them more good.  Though, they agreed that their grammar, spelling is gradually being battered out in terms of quality. They also use social media for creating class community, tweeting upcoming due date for events and coordinating assignment or group work. Findings revealed further that negative effect of social media can be curbed if students are using Facebook, Twitter and other platforms for class and outside class engagement as follow up to their studies, class community. Also, when lecturers start penalizing and guiding on on what is expected on them. The research recommends that Twitter and other social media users should have clear purpose for joining any social media in the first place so that they would not be overcome by any negative impacts but rather use these sites for maximum benefit.