Examining the Undergraduate Library Science Students’ Usage of Social Media Tools and its Impact on their Academics: A Case Study at Sarhad University of Science and Information Technology, Peshawar, Pakistan

Abstract

Purpose: The excessive use of Social Media platform has negatively impacted the undergraduate students, academic activities but also has a bad impact on their social activities as well. The present study investigates the Social Media habits of undergraduate Library and Information Science students and their impacts on their academic performances. Methodology: The study adopted a qualitative research approach using focus group discussions and interviews with informants through appropriate questionnaires. One focus group discussion was conducted with 15 selected students from the Library and Information Science (LIS) department at Sarhad University of Science and Information Technology, located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Additionally, a total of 4 teachers were also interviewed as key informants. The results have been analyzed with appropriate statistical test such as mean, frequency and percent evaluation. Findings: The findings revealed concerning trends among the undergrad students of LIS at SUIT. The average student spent 3-4 hours on daily basis on Social Media, with WhatsApp and Facebook being the most used platforms. Similarly, the majority (80%) of the students felt that social media negatively impacted their academic performance, citing distractions and reduced study time. Additionally, 60% of students reported decreased face to face communication with peers, showing a decline in social interactions. Teachers echoed these concerns, with 75% highlighting that social media significantly affects students’ ability to focus in class. The implication of the study may improve the positive use of social media among students at undergraduate level.

Keywords: Social media, undergraduate students, impact on academic performance and Pakistan, LIS,