Abstract

This research was conducted in the University of Buea department of Journalism and Mass Communication, to examine the Problematic use of Smartphones and Sleep Quality on the Academic Performance of Undergraduate Journalism and Mass Communication students. It has been observed that students devote more of their time on their smartphone and even sleep late thereby rushing late for lectures. The use of smartphones amongst students during bedtime has affected their Academic performance.

According to Joseph Owusu-Mafor et al. (2018) Lack of sleep affects the homeostasis of the biological functions in the human being. Students spends most of their time on their phones during bedtime causing them to sleep late and waking up late. This also has a negative effect on their academic as they sleep during lectures. The study examine how the students make use of their smartphones especially during school hour and the importance of good sleep quality of the academic performance of students. The research used descriptive Survey design.

The target population involved Undergraduate Journalism and Mass Communication in the University of Buea. 100(100%) students were selected with the use of questionnaire as a method of data collection. The study found out that most students spend spends time on their phones during bedtime and this has a negative effect on their studies as some students get drowsy during lectures. It can be concluded that, students uses their smartphone for different purposes, however, they don’t respect bedtime which in turn has an impact on their academics.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

In recent years, the use of mobile phones has proliferated and brought with it a great influence on human communication through its rapid advancement. Mobile phones are undeniable today. Almost everybody has a mobile phone. Formerly, it only functioned as a portable means of communication.

The function of mobile phones has developed into entertainment. Furthermore, mobile phones has come into schools. The student with his or her head buried in a smart phone screen is seen everywhere on campus on university campuses. Walking down the street, during classes and even during sleeping hours Iphones, Androids and other similar devices are the constant companion of this generation of students. Whether it’s a smartphone or android phone people want it to operate at a faster pace, because communication in today’s society plays a major role in public and private sphere (AkinremiTunde, 2017)

Mobile phones offer many different functions including communication with family members or others, connection to the internet or social networks,playing games, and listening to music it becomes an indispensable tool in daily living.(Faith, Didem,Necati, Tugce&Aleatin, 2015).Problematic use of mobile phone represents a new term which implies as feeling unsafe in daily living when not having a mobile phone and spending much time with the mobile phone at a degree affecting the daily life negatively(Eggermont& Van den Bulck,2006). Advanced technology for mobile phones is now used is now used not only by people with a high socio-economic level but also by those with a moderate – or low socioeconomic level(Ozcan&Kocak,2003).

Sleep is one of the basic necessities of the human being and is very important for a healthy and to maintain the quality of life at all ages. It is a state of reversible unconsciousness, where the body and mind are renewed, repaired, developed (Karadag 2017). Sleeping is a basic element for the physical growth and improving the academic performance, with being much more important in the young age and adolescence.(Ozturk,2002) . Insufficient or poor sleep quality has a substantial risk influence on academic performance.  Good sleep quality is essential for recovery. Sleep is a persistent physiological and necessary practice in every human being, irrespective of your gender, place of birth or profession (joseph Owusu-Mafor et..al.2018) a good night or good sleep is a great a great determinant of memory, attentiveness, and responsiveness, which are important in everyday activities.

Lack of sleep affects the homeostasis of the biological functions in the human being (Joseph Owusu-Mafor et..al.2018). sleeping is indisputably essential for human health. Several studies strongly suggest that timing of sleep as well as its quality and quantity are linked with students’ leaning abilities and academic achievement and that students are often persistently sleep deprived. Poor sleep quality and drowsiness are common complications in teenagers, adolescents and young adults. Note that these complications can be linked to poor learning, memory loss and poor academic performance ( ZhouLulin et. al 2018).

In recent years, because of the rapid development of communication and information technologies, smartphone use has been very popular in young people, particularly university students. While smartphone has made our lives more convenient, it also has negative effects on the health of users. For example, in the international literature, sleep problems in university students and adolescents with mobile phone addiction(MPA) and various measures of problematic smartphone use, including duration of smartphone usage and late-night smartphone use((Huang et al.,2020).Although sleep duration varies, 8-10 hours per night is sufficient for adolescent. Smartphones has a negative effect on the sleep of students (Hirshkowitz et al., 2015).

The effects of information communication technology on sleep is a subject of massive concern in current media and must be made easily accessible to the whole community in a thoughtful style to provide persons opportune contact to recent tendencies. Use of smartphone devices close to bedtime is exceedingly common among the youths. The usage of smartphones has been greater than before in recent years, and this has brought about addiction (Joseph Owusu-Mafor et..al.2018).

1.2 Problem Statement

It is true that mobile phones have been well received in recent years. Mobile phones are well received by users for two reasons: (a)multifunctionality: mobile phones are equipped with features such as an alarm clock, music player, games, internet, short message service(SMS), and video call, and (b) availability: mobile phones have become ubiquitous individuals to connect instantly and engage in real-time communication at any time.(DarnishaRagupathi et al., 2020). The usage of smartphone devices has been greater in recent years and this has brought about addiction and leads to poor academic performance.

Insufficient or poor is a substantial risk influence for poor school academic performance that is commonly overlooked. Good sleep quality is essential for recovery (Joseph Owusu et al.,2018). Use of smart mobile devices close to bedtime is exceedingly common among the youths. Absence of sufficient sleep accumulation over a period of time may results to more sleep liability. Insufficient or poor sleep is a substantial risk influence for poor school academic performance that is commonly overlooked. (Joseph Owusu-Zhou et. al 2018)

1.3 Research Questions

1.3.1 Main Research Question

What are the effects of mobile phones and quality of sleep among JMC undergraduate students on their academic performance?

1.3.2 Specific Research Questions

1. How students use smartphones
2. How frequent does the student use a smartphone
3. What are the effects of sleep quality on students’ Academic performance?
4. How many hours does students spent on their phones before sleeping?

Check Out: Journalism & Mass Communication Project Materials