The Shadow of Social Media: How Internet Abuse Threatens Education Quality in Nigeria
Nigeria’s education system is facing a growing crisis, fueled by the misuse of the internet and social media platforms. While these technologies offer undeniable benefits, their unchecked abuse is increasingly linked to declining academic performance and a compromised quality of education across the country. Educationists, teachers, and former school administrators are voicing their concerns, painting a grim picture of a generation increasingly reliant on shortcuts and digital crutches, at the expense of genuine learning and academic integrity.
One of the most alarming trends is the rise of examination malpractice facilitated by social media and artificial intelligence (AI). Students are now able to access "magic centers" where pre-answered exam scripts circulate freely, or utilize AI-powered applications to generate answers, bypassing the hard work and critical thinking required for true understanding. Sadiq Mohammed, an associate professor at the Federal University of Technology, Minna, laments this trend, noting that students who gain admission with impressive but fraudulently obtained results often struggle to keep up with the demands of university-level coursework. This reliance on external sources, he argues, undermines the very foundation of education, leaving students ill-equipped for future academic and professional challenges.
Parents, too, are implicated in this troubling phenomenon. Some actively encourage and finance their children’s participation in examination malpractice, providing them with the resources to travel to remote exam centers or even hiring individuals to impersonate them in exams. Judy Eke, a retired principal, expresses dismay at the prevalence of this parental complicity, highlighting the corrosive effect it has on the students’ work ethic and their perception of academic achievement. She criticizes a system that prioritizes grades over genuine competence, inadvertently incentivizing the pursuit of shortcuts and technological fixes over true mastery of the subject matter.
The pervasive influence of social media extends beyond examination malpractice, significantly impacting students’ study habits and overall engagement with their education. Students spend hours engrossed in online activities, neglecting their textbooks and assignments. Adebayo Adewole, a teacher, observes that students find it difficult to devote even 30 minutes to focused study, preferring the instant gratification and constant stimulation of social media. This shift in priorities, he argues, is detrimental to their academic progress and fosters a superficial understanding of the subjects they are supposed to be learning. He further notes that the ready availability of information online, while potentially beneficial, can also lead to misinformation and a reliance on readily available answers without the critical evaluation and synthesis that are essential for developing analytical skills.
The addictive nature of social media further exacerbates these issues. The constant stream of notifications, updates, and trends keeps students perpetually distracted, hindering their ability to concentrate on academic pursuits. This constant connectivity also exposes them to inappropriate content and potentially harmful online interactions, raising concerns about cybercrime and the erosion of ethical values. The call for greater regulation of the online space is growing louder, as educators and concerned citizens alike grapple with the negative impacts of unchecked social media consumption.
The consensus among these experts is that urgent action is required to mitigate the negative consequences of internet and social media abuse on the education sector. They advocate for a multi-pronged approach, involving government intervention, educational reforms, and increased parental responsibility. Mohammed suggests empowering educational institutions to combat the misuse of AI in academic settings and implementing stricter measures to ensure the integrity of examinations. Eke calls for a state of emergency in the education sector, urging a shift in focus from mere grades to actual skills development. Adewole emphasizes the need for promoting a culture of academic discipline, encouraging students to engage with physical textbooks and fostering critical thinking skills, while also urging authorities to regulate the social media landscape to protect young people from harmful content and online behaviors.
Ultimately, addressing this challenge requires a collective effort to restore the value of hard work, academic integrity, and a genuine pursuit of knowledge. Failure to do so risks jeopardizing the future of Nigeria’s education system and, consequently, the nation’s prospects for growth and development.