Abstract
This study investigates the academic use of social networks among undergraduate students in
the Library and Information Science (LIS) department at Michael Okpara University of
Agriculture, Umudike. The research explores students' awareness of social networking sites,
their purposes for using these platforms, the predominant platforms used, challenges faced,
and potential solutions. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and analyzed
using descriptive statistics. Findings reveal low awareness of social networking sites among
students, with Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube, and TikTok being the most used platforms
for academic and social purposes. Challenges include misinformation, balancing social and
academic interactions, and maintaining professional decorum. The study recommends digital
literacy programs, structured integration of social media into academic activities, and
workshops on professional communication to enhance students' academic and professional
development.
Keywords: Social networks, academic use, Library and Information Science, undergraduate
students, digital literacy
Publication Date: 2025-02-13