USAGE OF FACEBOOK AMONG STUDENTS (AN APPRAISAL)

CHAPTER ONE

1.1              Background to the Study

Moral panic is a common reaction to new forms of communication. The advent of television spawned fears of mass idolization. Similarly, in the early 90’s, critics held the diffusion of internet as evidence of individual’s increasing alienation from society and public life. The story with social network site such as, Facebook is not any different; unsafe disclosure of information, cyber bullying, addiction, risky behaviour and contacting dangerous communities are but a few of the concerns raised in the media about the use of online social networks.

Before the emergence of Facebook, the methods of communication used were face-to-face conversations, phone calls, text message, hand-written letters or cards, e-mails, instant messages etc. and all these are called modern means of communication.

Communication can therefore be said to be, the process of sharing ideas, information and messages with others at a particular time and place. There are diverse means of communication but are all classified into two, which are:

1)      Traditional means of communication.

2)      Modern means of communication.

Facebook is one part of the internet which is a means of modern communication.

Facebook has recently attracted considerable attention among researchers. As a social networking site, Facebook can be defined as an online platform where users create profiles, generate and share contents and information, interact with other individuals which cloud be known and unknown. It can also be said to be a social directory that enables people to share information. Facebook has experienced vast expansion during the last few years, leading to extensive use by people from all walks of life. As of May 2012, according to Facebook’s consumer report survey, Facebook has over 900 million active users and as experienced an annual growth of 45.2%.

Several studies have examined the attraction and persuasive nature of online platform and similar networking sites as well as reason that lead people from all walks of life and age ranges to join this “community” or other similar “communities” as its popularly called by users. Researchers have examined the profile of these website users to determine to what extent such individuals are keen on posting their entire identity, sharing their pictures and videos, and stating their religious affiliation, marital status and political orientation on the internet. In turn, they interact, exchange information about their interests, raise discussions about new topics, and follow news about specific topics (e.g. companies, political parties, favourite websites, and entertainers).

Meanwhile, some other studies have shown that extended presence of students and employees on Facebook has a harmful effect on their productivity. These studies demonstrated that long hours spent on Facebook seem to decrease the attention given to other task, most especially, students’ performance. Many students acknowledged that they find the website totally distracting and time consuming, but they also noted that they cannot quit visiting the website because they like it and can use it to keep in contact with family members, old friends and also develop new friends. Some people also recognized that they “have outsourced their social life exclusively to Facebook”. Others noted feelings that using Facebook means allowing this application to take over their daily lives, so they decided not to have a profile on this platform.

Moreover, some students are likely to spend more time than others on the social network; they would also be more immersed in related tasks as they spend long hours surfing the website, thereby promoting their distraction from immediate tasks. For example, users become interested in sharing information with their contacts (friends) and participating in discussions as well as uploading or watching videos and pictures.

Thus, students also check updates while reading, which interferes with their assimilation. They are distracted from their main task and working their memory allocated to this task makes it difficult for them to concentrate.

However, individuals participate on these networking activities differently according to their personalities and cultural disparities. Several studies have discussed people’s attitudes related to the internet, showing that their interests and activities on this tool vary according to their age, gender and personality traits. Cultural background determines individuals’ personalities during social learning processes and through inherited human nature, which shape individual common characteristics. These differences in cultural backgrounds and characteristics demonstrate the need to address the impact of students’ Facebook usage, which leads to the question about the unpredictability of the effect of Facebook among students with different characteristics and in different cultural contexts.

In view of this development it becomes imperative to appreciate student opinion on Facebook. Hence, this research is a help in that direction among 400 level students of Tai Solarin University of Education.

1.2              Statement of the Problem

Existing research shows that young people especially students are engaged with social network sites like Facebook sites to keep strong relationships with friends, to build up ties with acquaintances and to a lesser degree, to meet new people. At the same time, websites like Facebook allow them to exchange news and discuss both public and private issues.

Therefore, the researcher will look into issues relating to reasons for Facebook addiction among students. Besides Facebook positive and negative effect is also appraised.

1.3              Objectives of the Research

The main objective of this study is to examine the extent at which Facebook affects students. However, other objectives include:

1)      To examine the extensive use of Facebook among students.

2)      To examine students’ application of Facebook.

3)      To examine students’ challenges with Facebook.

4)      To examine how the challenges can be addressed.

1.4              Research Questions

The research questions are as follows:

1)      How extensive is the use of Facebook among students?

2)      What is the effect of Facebook on students?

3)      What are the challenges students faces with Facebook?

4)      How can these challenges be addressed?

1.5              Significance of the Research

The increase in students’ activities on social networks, such as Facebook is an issue of concern only to its extensive use.

Thus, this research would allow the authorities and students in concern to view Facebook from a different perspective. Hence, this will strengthen communication and aid understanding on how to use social network in particular and Facebook in general, positively.

The study suggests how students can considerably maximize their Facebook usage that is, using Facebook in such a way that they will benefit, so, their privacy will not be disturbed, reputation will be guided and protected, and how their time on Facebook can be reduced.

Finally, the research serves as literature for future study on internet in general and Facebook in particular.

1.6              Scope of the Study

The study is limited to 400 level students of Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun in Ijebu-ode.

The study only presents information on what was obtained at the time of research.

1.7              Limitations of the Research

This research was first limited to 400 level students of Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ijebu-ode. However, a lot of pretence was displayed in the misinterpretation of the researcher’s intention. False information was given by some of the respondents, only to be sorted by corroborating the data gathered.

Another limitation is the fact that the materials presented are sourced from the internet, which might not be trusted sometimes.

Limited financial resources, transportation risk, time constraint and the peculiar nature of the school calendar also made this exercise tedious.