Gender Differences in Students' Mobile Phone Utilization in Rural and Urban Location in Delta State

The study examined gender differences in students’ mobile phone utilization in rural and urban location in Delta State. 130 three hundred level (300L) undergraduates in the Department of Science Education, Faculty of Education, Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka and University of Delta (UNIDEL), Agbor, comprised the study’s population. Krejcie and Morgan’s (1970) sample determination table was used to select 97 samples for the study. Data were collected using a questionnaire titled “Students’ Utilization of Mobile Phones (SUMP)”. The instrument was validated by three experts to enhance the quality and credibility of the instrument by reducing bias, identifying errors or omissions and ensuring consistency. The reliability coefficient (0.74) of the questionnaire was ascertained using Cronbach Alpha. Data obtained with the aid of the instrument was analysed using t-test at 0.05 level of significant. The results revealed that that there is a significant difference between mobile phone utilization of male and female students from rural location, as well as urban location, in favour of male students. The results, again, revealed that there is a significant difference between mobile phone utilization of male students, as well as female students, from rural and urban location, in favour of male and female students from urban location. It was concluded that gender differences exist in the utilization of mobile phones among students residing in rural and urban locations in Delta State. It was thus, recommended among others, that to bridge the gender gap in mobile phone utilization, educational institutions and policymakers should design gender-sensitive initiatives focused on promoting equitable access and usage of mobile phones among students in both rural and urban locations.