Indicators of Social Media Addiction among Undergraduate Students of University of Maiduguri, Borno State

Abstract

It has been observed that social media despite it's ubiquity and usefulness also leads some users to be addicted to the platform with the likely consequences of affecting their social and psychological conditions. Therefore, the study examined Indicators of Social Media Addiction among undergraduate students of University of Maiduguri. The study was anchored on these objectives; to examine whether excessive social media usage leads to mood modifications, to identify the types of mood modification experienced by students, ascertain their experiences after discontinued use of social media and ascertain the effects of excessive social media use on physical relationships of respondent. Uses and gratifications and the BERGEN model of social media addiction were used as theoretical framework to explain the motivations behind students' engagement with social media platforms as well as to assess the patterns of addictive behaviour. The study also applied the quantitative survey as method. Using a sample size of 369 across 18 faculties, via questionnaire, data shows high usage of social media with different frequency. It was found that students spend at least 5 hours on social media on a daily basis which in turn changes their mood, ranging from boredom, fear, anger, anxiety and happiness. Findings equally indicate that excessive social media usage has only affected a minority of the respondents’ interpersonal relationships. Given the number of hours spent on social media daily, how it induces mood and the negative challenges experienced when disconnected from its use, the study conclude that the social media addiction indicators are manifest among the students of University of Maiduguri. Additionally, the sense of boredom and worry, experienced in the absence of social media use may not only induce attention deficit away from learning but also may push them into inevitable addiction.