PERCEIVED SOCIAL MEDIA USAGE ON COGNITIVE FUNCTIONS OF THE SYOUTH: IMPLICATIONSFOR POLICY DIRECTIONS IN MANAGEMENT OF DIGITAL LEARNING

Abstract

Descriptive survey research design was used for the study population of the study was 42,000 and the sample of 279 under graduate students of University of Nigeria was determined with Cohen, Manion and Morrision (2007) which indicates that when the population ranges in 30,000 and above at 95 percent confidence level and interval, a sample of 379 should be used. Based on this, the sample size of 400 will be deemed appropriate to compensate for incomplete responses. The sample was selected by means of random sampling technique of balloting without replacement. The instrument for data collection was questionnaire on social media usage in cognitive functions (QSMUCF). The instrument assessed intensity frequency and duration of usage of WhatsApp and Facebook. The instrument consisted of two sections A &B. section “A” contains items that elicited information on personal data of the respondents. Section B contained the adapted e(QSMUCF) items. Cronbach Alpha statistics were used to determine reliability coefficient of the adapted (QSMUCF0 which gave 0.70. Standard deviation will be used to answer the research questions. The findings of this study are summarized as follows: 
1.    Showed that the aggregate mean value of 3.14 is within the categorization of high extent. Therefore, WhatsApp usage affect cognitive function of youths to a high extent. 
2.    Data on table 2 showed that the aggregate mean value of 2.99 is within the categorization of high extent. 
Therefore, facebook usage affect cognitive function of youths to a high extent. 
Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations were made: 
1.    The service providers should not register youths who are still students into the platforms in order to avoid impaired cognitive functions arising from WhatsApp usage. 
2.    The parents should consistently monitor and supervise youths’ facebook content usage in order to enhance their cognitive functions.