Experts say social media and internet abuse negatively impact students’ academic performance.

Some education experts have raised concerns that despite the benefits of the internet and social media, their misuse is negatively affecting students’ academic performance and undermining the quality of education in Nigeria.

Speaking in Abuja during interviews the experts noted that the rampant use and abuse of social media have led to a decline in students’ focus and academic discipline.

Dr. Sadiq Mohammed, Associate Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering at the Federal University of Technology, Minna, said social media platforms have increasingly facilitated examination malpractices. He observed that emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), though intended to advance society, are often misused by students.

“With the current state of our education sector, the future looks bleak. Many students now write exams in so-called ‘magic centres,’ where pre-solved scripts are distributed,” he said. “They gain university admission with impressive results, but struggle academically once admitted. Many now rely heavily on AI tools and spend more time on their phones than on their studies.”

Mohammed urged the government to empower the education sector with tools to regulate and manage the misuse of AI, calling for stricter scrutiny of research work and efforts to eliminate the copy-and-paste culture. He emphasized the need for a system that instills academic discipline.

Mrs. Judy Eke, a retired principal, added that some parents are complicit in encouraging exam malpractices. According to her, parents not only fund illicit exam registrations but also provide internet data to facilitate cheating.

“Even educated parents sometimes hire people to take exams for their children,” she said. “Social media is undermining the value of hard work. Many students now believe any answer found online is automatically correct.”

Eke also criticized the overemphasis on grades and qualifications at the expense of true capability, which she said fosters dependence on internet shortcuts. She called for a state of emergency to be declared in the education sector.

Mr. Adebayo Olawole, a secondary school teacher, acknowledged that social media provides access to information and global learning opportunities, but said it has also become a major source of distraction.

“Many students spend hours online but can barely commit 30 minutes to their books. They are more interested in social media trends than their studies,” he said.

Olawole also noted that social media encourages cybercrime and exposes youth to inappropriate content. He called for regulatory measures and urged schools to encourage the use of textbooks over digital shortcuts.

“Assignments meant to develop research and analytical skills are now being completed using AI tools. Students no longer engage with their textbooks,” he added.