IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA USE ON STUDY HABITS AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE:A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

This study investigates the impact of social media use on the study habits and academic performance of university students, comparing public and private universities in Faisalabad. Data were collected from 300 students through a 30-item, five-point Likert scale questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential analyses revealed that while social media facilitates academic collaboration, resource access, and online discussions, it is predominantly used for entertainment, leading to distractions, procrastination, and reduced focus. Students from private universities demonstrated more disciplined usage patterns, correlating with better academic outcomes. The findings suggest that balanced, purposeful social media use can support learning, but excessive recreational use undermines academic performance. Policy recommendations are offered to promote responsible digital engagement in higher education.