The Influence of Mobile Phone Services on Students’ Study Habits in Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of mobile phone services on students’ study habits in tertiary institutions in the South-South and South-East zone of Nigeria. The study adopted descriptive survey method. A questionnaire was designed to collect data from 448 respondents from six institutions offering Library and Information Science (LIS) in the South-South and South-East zones in Nigeria. The study revealed that chatting on Facebook, online sport betting, downloading and playing music, Whatsapp chatting, e-mail services are among the mobile phone Internet services used by the students of tertiary institutions in Nigeria. The study found that using these mobile phone services during private study and lecture time negatively affects students’ time management and distracts students’ concentration during lecture time. Overall, the majority of the students agree that using mobile phone services during lecture periods and private study time negatively affect study habits. The study concluded that if this is not curtailed, students will continue to have poor academic performance if they are not taught the negative influence of this mobile phone services on their study habits. Findings of this study will inform educators, decision-makers, parents, teachers, and students.