Exploring the influence of social media information quality, and perceived usefulness on academic achievement: the mediating role of usage of social media

Despite the embarking breakthrough of social media in revolutionising communication and information access, the quality of information for students and scholars remain a concern. This paper investigates the effects of social media information quality and perceived usefulness on academic achievement. It also investigates the mediating role of usage of social media on the relationship between information quality, and academic achievement, as well as between perceived usefulness and academic achievement. Toward this end, data was collected from 445 students at King Khalid University in Saudi Arabia using a survey-based method. The findings of this study revealed a direct influence of the perceived usefulness, usage of social media and information quality on academic achievement, however, the perceived usefulness has a direct influence on social media. Additionally, the usage of social media has mediating effects on the relationships between the quality of information and academic achievement as well as perceived usefulness and academic achievement. These findings are of potential interest to Saudi higher education institutions, for improving student achievement.