Influence of Excessive Social Media Usage on Problem Solving Skills and Study Habits of University Students

Abstract

This research paper has explored the impact of excessive use of social media in problem solving ability and study behavior of undergraduate students at the University of the Punjab. The study used the Uses and Gratifications and Time Displacement theories, and it was based on a quantitative descriptive survey design. The standardized tools were used to gather data among 204 students, namely Excessive Social Media Usage Scale, Problem-Solving Skills Abilities, and Study Habits. The statistical analysis based on the descriptive statistics, correlation, and multiple regression analysis showed that although excessive use of social media did not influence the problem-solving ability of students significantly, it had a negative impact on their study behaviors especially time management, concentration, and academic organization. There was a positive correlation between study habits and problem-solving skills. The research finds that moderate use of social media does not affect the cognitive performance, but unregulated use interferes with the academic patterns of the life. It is recommended to incorporate digital literacy and time management training in universities, in order to encourage balanced and productive media consumption.