Frequency of Social Media Engagement as Correlates of University Undergraduates Academic Procrastination in Anambra State.

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between undergradutes' frequency of social 
media engagement and their tendency to exhibit academic procrastination. The 
proliferation of digital devices and the social media revolution has thrown up 
interesting trends amongst university undergradutes. While their social media 
engagement has been at an all time high, there are worrying signs that this may 
be taking a toll on their academic engagement, possibly leading to postponing 
important academic tasks in pursuit of immediate gratification gotten from social 
media engagement. This correlational study focused on 589 undergradutes from 
NAU Awka and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Igbariam 
sampled using Convenience Sampling Technique. Two instruments were 
employed for data collection; a researcher-made instrument titled "Social Media 
Engagement Frequency Questionnaire (SMEFQ)", and an Academic 
Procrastination Scale. Face and content validity were done by 3 experts from the 
Department of Educational Foundations, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, 
while reliability was computed using the Cronbach Alpha technique which 
yielded .80 and .75 for the SMEFQ and APS, respectively. Data collected were 
analysed with SPSS version 26. Frequency (percentages) and PPMC were used 
to answer the research questions, while linear regression was used to test the 
hypotheses. Results revealed a high frequency of social media engagement 
among the respondents. Also, strong positive associations were found between 
frequency of social media use and academic procrastination. Recommendations 
were made that policy and pedagogical measures are needed to help 
undergraduates imbibe more scholarly use of social media to help them manage 
their time better.