Impact of Mobile Phone Usage on Academic Performance among Secondary School Students in Taraba State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study employed survey design. The sample for the study was 300 respondents selected from the total population of 6,482 respondents. Stratified sampling technique was employed to select the sample The Mobile Phone Usage Questionnaire (MPUQ) was adapted from Twum (2011) and used for this study is sub-divided into two (2) sections namely: Appendix A consisting of demographic variables of respondents such as gender, age and socio economic status. While Appendix B consists of items statements relating to mobile phone usagewith a five (5) point rating scale, namely;Never, Rarely, Occasionally, Often or Very Often from which the respondents were required to choose from and mathematic achievement test (MAT) as well as English language achievement test (ELAT). Data collected were analyse using mean, standard deviation and t-test to answer the research questions and hypotheses raised. The finding of this study, revealed that mobile phone usage significantly influence academic performance among senior secondary school students. (t = 5.711, P = 0.02),  The finding of this study also revealed that, age different was not a significant factor in mobile phone usage on academic performance among senior secondary school students (f = 6.431, P = 0.022), In addition, the finding of this study revealed that, socio economic status was not a significant factor in mobile phone usage on academic performance among senior secondary school students (f = 9.005, p= 0.031),  Furthermore, the findings of this study revealed that, gender was not significant factor in mobile phone usage on academic performance among senior secondary school students (t = 8.131, p = 0.02) and Finally, the finding of this study also revealed that, the frequency of mobile phone usage does not significantly influence academic performance among senior secondary school students (t = 11.931, p = 0.015). recommendation to include; School psychologists, teachers ,  school administrator  and students should be sensitize on the influence of mobile phone usage on academic performance among secondary school student. among others are made