Impact of social media on higher education: Academic performance, leadership and co-curricular activity engagement

Al Amin Mohamed Sultan; Erwan Ismail; Mohd Shamsuri Md Saad; Afifuddin Husairi  Husain; Muhammad Zaid Daud; Haitham M.   Alswat

doi:10.31893/multirev.2025142

Keywords:

university students

leadership

digital engagement

social media addiction

academic

student development

Abstract

This study explores the perceptions of students at a Malaysian Technical University students toward social media use and its impact on cocurricular activities, leadership, and academic achievement. Using a quantitative cross-sectional survey, a questionnaire was administered to a population of 1,000 students, with 278 respondents determined using Krejcie and Morgan's sampling method. Data analysis included descriptive and inferential statistics. The study achieved a 99.6% response rate with 277 respondents, comprising 77% Malay, 12% Chinese, 8% Indian, and 3% from other races. Educational levels were predominantly bachelor's degrees (93%) and diplomas (7%). WhatsApp was the most frequently used social media application (23%), while other applications were the least used (1%). The highest average time spent on social media was for social purposes (µ = 3.30), followed by online gaming (µ = 2.78). A significant relationship was found between academic achievement and leadership (r = 0.369; p < 0.01). However, no significant relationship was identified between social media use and involvement in extracurricular activities, academic achievement, or leadership. Sleep deprivation is prevalent, with most students sleeping less than the recommended 7 hours per night. Despite this, many students still achieve high academic performance, indicating resilience and effective time management. Addressing sleep deprivation is crucial for maintaining cognitive function and overall health. The study concludes that while the students have considerable free time, social media usage does not significantly affect academic performance. Increased participation in extracurricular activities is recommended. Additionally, limiting social media use is advised for better health and well-being.
References
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22. Yi, C. W., & Ahmad, Y. (2023). Relationships Between Social Media Addiction And Self-Esteem Among University Students In Malaysia. Journal of Human Development and Communication (JoHDeC), 12, 27-34.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

How to cite

Sultan, A. A. M., Ismail, E., Saad, M. S. M., Husain, A. H., Daud, M. Z., & Alswat, H. M. (2024). Impact of social media on higher education: Academic performance, leadership and co-curricular activity engagement. Multidisciplinary Reviews, 8(5), 2025142. https://doi.org/10.31893/multirev.2025142

[1] Alvi, A., Kayani, U., & Lakhan, A. (2022). Relationship Of Social Media Addiction With Academic Performance: Mediating Role Of Student Engagement. Gomal University Journal of Research. https://doi.org/10.51380/gujr-38-02-03.

[2] Azizi, S. M., Soroush, A., & Khatony, A. (2019). The relationship between social networking addiction and academic performance in Iranian students of medical sciences: a cross-sectional study. BMC Psychology, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-019-0305-0

[3] Bassam, Hamam., Sanaa, Khandaqji., Samer, Sakr., Ali, Ghaddar. (2023). Social media addiction in university students in Lebanon and its effect on student performance.. Journal of American College Health, doi: 10.1080/07448481.2022.2152690

[4] Dule, A., Abdu, Z., Hajure, M., Mohammedhussein, M., Girma, M., Gezimu, W., & Duguma, A. (2023). Facebook addiction and affected academic performance among Ethiopian university students: A cross-sectional study. PloS One, 18(2), e0280306. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0280306

[5] Enguta Mwenzi, J., & Andia Moyamani, E. (2023). Social networks addictions and academic performance of students at the University of Kinshasa. Futurity Education, 3(2). 198-211.https://doi.org/10.57125/FED.2023.06.25.13

[6] Finnerty, R., Marshall, S. A., Imbault, C., & Trainor, L. J. (2021). Extra-Curricular Activities and Well-Being: Results from a survey of undergraduate university students during COVID-19 lockdown restrictions. Frontiers in Psychology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.647402

[7] Foote, L. M. (2013). Honing crisis communication skills: Using interactive media and student-centered learning to develop agile leaders. Journal of Management Education, 37(1), 79-114.

[8] Hamam, B., Khandaqji, S., Sakr, S., & Ghaddar, A. (2023). Social media addiction in university students in Lebanon and its effect on student performance. Journal of American college health: J of ACH, 1-7 . https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2022.2152690.

[9] Iqbal, Z., & Safdar, R. (2023). Role OF Media on Academic Performance of Students. Pakistan Journal of Social Research, 5(02), 889-895, doi: 10.52567/pjsr.v5i02.1201.

[10] Khoso, J. (2023). Effects Of Social Media On Psychological Wellbeing And Academic Performance Among University Students In Sindh. Pakistan Journal of Educational Research. https://doi.org/10.52337/pjer.v6i2.789.

[11] Lau, W. W. (2017). Effects of social media usage and social media multitasking on the academic performance of university students. Computers in human behavior, 68, 286-291.

[12] Li, Y., Yao, C., Zeng, S., Wang, X., Lu, T., Li, C., Lan, J., & You, X. (2019). How social networking site addiction drives university students’ academic achievement: The mediating role of learning engagement. Journal of Pacific Rim Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.1017/PRP.2019.12.

[13] Maha, Shams., Rao, Shahid., Syed, Yousaf, Raza. (2022). Social media and university students: trends and effects studies. Pakistan journal of social research, doi: 10.52567/pjsr.v4i04.890

[14] Malak, M., Shuhaiber, A., Al-amer, R., Abuadas, M., & Aburoomi, R. (2021). Correlation between psychological factors, academic performance and social media addiction: model-based testing. Behaviour & Information Technology, 41, 1583 - 1595. https://doi.org/10.1080/0144929X.2021.1891460.

[15] Mensah, S. O., & Nizam, I. (2016). The impact of social media on students’ academic performance-A case of Malaysia Tertiary Institution. International Journal of Education, Learning and Training, 1(1), 14-21.

[16] Paiman, N., & Fauzi, M. A. (2024). Exploring determinants of social media addiction in higher education through the integrated lenses of technology acceptance model (TAM) and usage habit. Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, 16(3), 776-803.

[17] Pasand Ali Khoso (2023). Effects of social media on psychological wellbeing and academic performance among university students in sindh. Pakistan Journal of Educational Research, 6(2).doi: 10.52337/pjer.v6i2.789v

[18] Sidek, A., Rina, H., Awi, R., & Mohammad, Z. (2022) Hubungan Antara Ketagihan Media Sosial Dengan Kepuasan Hidup Dan Emosi Dalam Kalangan Pelajar Universiti Di Malaysia. Jurnal Psikologi dan Kesihatan Sosial, 6, 43–56

[19] Subramaniam, T., Malagobadan, J., Anbalagan, A. J., Yee, P. T., Sankar, A., Dan, M. F. A. B. M., & Lazaldin, M. H. M. (2024). Association Of Symptomatologic Depression With Social Media Addiction Among University Students In Malaysia. Global Journal of Public Health Medicine, 6(1), 999-1009.

[20] Suganya, D., Kengatharan, L., & Yogendrarajah, R. (2020). Use of social media and academic performance of students: evidence from undergraduate students in University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka. Journal of Business Studies. https://doi.org/10.4038/jbs.v7i2.61.

[21] Tess, P. A. (2013). The role of social media in higher education classes (real and virtual)–A literature review. Computers in human behavior, 29(5), A60-A68.

[22] Yi, C. W., & Ahmad, Y. (2023). Relationships Between Social Media Addiction And Self-Esteem Among University Students In Malaysia. Journal of Human Development and Communication (JoHDeC), 12, 27-34.

Abstract

References

How to cite