"SOCIAL MEDIA USAGE AND STUDY HABITS OF SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN IBADAN SOUTH EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, OYO STATE, NIGERIA"

The increasing use of social media among senior secondary school students has raised concerns about its influence on their academic activities, as excessive engagement on these platforms often leads to distractions during study hours. Constant notifications and interactions can disrupt concentration and make it difficult for students to dedicate uninterrupted time to their studies. This study examined social media usage and study habits of senior secondary school students in Ibadan South East Local Government Area, using the Uses and Gratification Theory as its theoretical framework. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, and 261 respondents were randomly selected as the sample. Data were collected using a self-structured questionnaire and analysed through descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings revealed that the majority of respondents from Eyinni (43.2%) and Calvary (37.1%) reported having a study timetable, indicating a shared commitment to organised learning. WhatsApp also emerged as the most frequently used platform, with a strong majority of respondents from Eyinni (33.7%) and Calvary (35.7%) saying they always use it. Furthermore, most respondents from Eyinni (68%) and Calvary (63%) frequently use social media to chat with friends, highlighting a dominant pattern of social interaction. The study recommends that students develop a balanced approach to social media use to ensure their study time remains free from distractions, and that educational institutions incorporate digital literacy programmes to educate students on the impact of social media on academic performance.