SOCIAL MEDIA'S IMPACT ON ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT OF PRE-SERVICE TEACHERS AT COLLEGES OF EDUCATION

Recent trends show that students are increasingly ignoring their academics, raising concerns about the impact of social media on academic achievement. This study investigated social media's impact on the academic achievement of pre-service teachers at colleges in the Northern Region of Ghana. A quantitative descriptive survey design was used for the study. Through convenience sampling strategy, 272 pre-service teachers were selected from three Colleges of Education, out of a total target population of 1,483. Data collection was done using questionnaires. The results highlighted that students commonly utilize social media platforms to access course-related materials, yet it was observed that social media usage has led to a reduction in study hours and sleep duration. Furthermore, significant gender disparities were identified in the effects of social media. To address these issues, it was recommended that guidance and counseling services be enhanced to better support students in managing their academic pursuits and sleep patterns amidst the influence of social media.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/soc/0879/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>