Awareness, Usage and Influence of Social Media Platforms on Learning Effectiveness in Selected Public and Private Schools in Ogun State, Nigeria

The advent of the digital age has ushered in a new era of technological advancement that has revolutionized various aspects of human life, including education. Social media platforms, with their immense popularity and diverse functionalities, have become integral to the daily lives of many, particularly the younger generation. These communication networks include social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, and X formally known as Twitter, etc. The development of social media as a platform for communication can be traced back to the birth of the Internet, which encompasses the development of electronic mail (e-mail). While social media has primarily been associated with entertainment and social interaction, its potential for educational purposes has gained significant attention. Despite this potential, the educational benefits of social media remain a topic of debate among scholars, educators, and policymakers. In particular, the question of whether social media positively contributes to learning effectiveness or instead creates distractions and fosters superficial engagement remains unanswered. In Ogun State, Nigeria, there is a diversity in the types of schools available, with both public and private institutions offering varied resources and learning environments. This variety provides a unique opportunity to explore how students and educators in these different settings utilize social media for educational purposes and whether it influences learning effectiveness differently in public versus private institutions. This research investigated the level of awareness, usage and influence of social media platforms on learning effectiveness in selected public and private schools in Ogun State, Nigeria.