Impact of Social Media Usage on Information Retrieval Among Undergraduate Students in Faculty of Management Sciences, University of Ilorin

Introduction

Social media provides an easy way to receive feedback and communicate with peers, young adults attitudes of themselves can be affected by using social media networks (Pempek, Yermolayeva & Calvert 2009). Social media sites empower users to take an active role in their own socialization process and in constructing their own self-identity (Urista,2009). A personal profile is the way users present themselves; they can include as much information as desired about themselves, including posting pictures. Due to digital technology, users can show considerable information about themselves and their friends. This self-disclosure is a way to open up their own identities of how they want others to perceive them (Pempek et al., 2009). Intimate self-disclosures help produce greater intimacy in computer-mediated communication than in face-to-face contacts (Jiang, Bazarova, & Hancock, 2011). Producing an attractive personal profile for others to admire is a way to improve self-concept. It has been suggested that individuals partake in selective self-presentation on social media sites so they may appear to want to impress others (Jiang et al., 2011). This is especially true for college students as they self-disclose frequently during this exploratory period. In accordance with Arnett’s theory, emerging adulthood (18-25 years old) is a time when there is a period of freedom and independence in a young person’s life (Arnett, 2000). Self-disclosure is an identity challenge in emerging adulthood (Pempek et al., 2009). Self-disclosure helps by getting feedback from peers that helps develop a sense of self and strengthens existing relationships as well (Pempek et al., 2009). Many individuals use social network sites to feel popular, trying to add as many “friends” as possible so they appear to be more admired. Young adults reported an average of 358 Facebook friends (Pempek et al., 2009). Another study reported a mean of 200 Facebook friends, almost all of which they had met in person prior to the internet connection (West, Lewis, & Currie, 2009). According to Peter (2015), a direct relationship exists between Social media usage and the academic performance of students in universities. However the darker side within technological evolution has resulted in dilemmas such as the setback of real values of life especially among students who form the majority of users interacting through the use of social networking sites. Online social networking sites focus on building and reflecting social associations among people who share interests and or activities. With so many social networking sites displayed on the internet, students are tempted to abandon their homework and reading times in preference for chatting online with friends. Many students are now addicted to the online rave of the moment, with Facebook, Twitter etc. Today most youths and students possess Facebook accounts. The reason most of them perform badly in school might not be far- fetched. While many minds might be quick to blame the poor quality of teachers, they might have to think even harder, if they have not heard of the Facebook frenzy (Oche & Aminu 2010). Olubiyi (2012) noted that these days’ students are so engrossed in the social media that they are almost 24 hours online. Even in classrooms and lecture theatres, it has been observed that some students are always busy pinging, going or Facebooking, while lectures are on. Times that ought to be channeled towards learning, academic research and innovating have been crushed by the passion for meeting new friends online, and most times busy discussing trivial issues.