A Comparative Analysis of Social Media Usage and Academic Performance in Public and Private Senior High Schools

Abstract

The study comparatively analyzed social media usage and academic performance in public and private sen ior high schools. The issue of social media and academi c performance has been a very debatable topic with regard to its effect. This study further explores the relatio n between private and public schools in relation to social media use and academic performance. The objectives of the study was to find out activities performed by stud ents on social media, its effect on spelling during examina tion, and to find out if participation affected stu dents grades before and after using social media. The study used the survey method to solicit responses from two pu blic senior schools and two private senior high schools. The study revealed that majority of respondents fr om the private schools used Whatsapp and Facebook more oft en. Also, respondents from the private schools spen t more hours online as compared to counterparts in the pub lic schools. In addition, a higher proportion of re spondents from the private schools experienced drop in grades as compared to their counterparts in the public sc hools. The study therefore recommends a strict enforcement of rules in private schools, counselling for addicted students etc.