EVALUATION OF SMARTPHONE USAGE AND SOCIAL INTERACTION AMONG STUDENTS IN TERTIARY INSTITUTION

EVALUATION OF SMARTPHONE USAGE AND SOCIAL INTERACTION AMONG STUDENTS IN TERTIARY INSTITUTION

Background to the Study

Because the smartphone has taken the world by storm, there are now more smartphone devices on the planet than persons. Because of the rapid rise of smartphones and their users, some marketers are struggling to keep up with both new technologies and new ways of interacting with their audience; thus, there appears to be no equilibrium yet, as smartphone manufacturers continue to try to strike a healthy balance between the rapid rise of smartphone users and the new technologies emerging.

Smartphones have an indirect and direct impact on every area of our daily lives and can have a significant impact on the quality of social connections. Although new technology (such as smartphones) may be received with enthusiasm at first because they promise to make people's lives easier and less stressful, cellphones may subsequently disclose unintended drawbacks.

According to Misagal, Jollie, and Liezel (2016), smartphone development began in the early 1990s and surged in 2007, dominated by many operating systems in constant development. In 2011, RBC Capital project analyst Dan Frommer predicted that mobile phone sales will surpass PC sales and that the number of smartphone users globally would treble from 165 million to over 500 million within a few years.

According to a recent survey issued in 2017 by Twinpine Networks, a premium mobile advertising network, Nigeria has maintained its status as the world's most mobilised country. In the year 2017, mobile penetration in the nation went from 40% to 74%. According to the "2017 Nigeria Mobile Trend Report," there are 91.5 million unique mobile users in Nigeria out of an estimated 192 million people, and social media is the most popular activity among Nigerians, followed by utilising search engines, checking emails, and viewing online videos. This helps to understand how important social connection is in an individual's life.

Smartphone, according to Lee, Cho, Kim, and Noh (2015), is a cellular telephone with built-in apps and Internet connectivity. Ericsson's R380 model was the first to be introduced in the year 2000. A smartphone is the result of combining mobile phone with computer functions.

According to Jubien (2013), a Smartphone is a mobile computer device that can perform operations such as phone calls, cellular and wireless internet connections, and downloading, installing, and executing programmes. Smartphones are now utilised to replace desktop or mobile PCs. According to Saraswathi (2017), smartphones include text messaging, e-mail, Web browsing, still and video cameras, MP3 players, video playback, and calling in addition to digital voice service.

Smartphones are popular among consumers due to the apps they provide. People find it rather simple to speak with one another in various ways and to access various things thanks to the capabilities that cellphones allow. Smartphone usage is expanding across all income and age groups. Students at universities have been identified as one of the most significant target markets. Smartphone use has become essential for students because they use them for a variety of reasons, not just similar to those provided by the internet, but also to discover applications that give new functionalities. These capabilities let users to speak with others face-to-face or instantaneously. Users may also obtain information while surfing the Internet, which allows them to avoid awkward situations. As a result, it appears that many students rely significantly on their cellphones, which will inevitably lead to increased usage.

According to Hong, Chiu, and Huang (2012), mobile phones are popular among students because they improve social communication and enhance chances for social interactions. Smartphones provide an interactive feature to people all around the world. It has become an essential element of the daily lives of students. This relationship is at the heart of life. Thus, social contact encompasses the whole spectrum of interpersonal social connections. The cornerstone of society is social contact. It is the core of social interaction.

As a result, the phenomena of Smartphone usage during social contact necessitates a more in-depth investigation than has previously been undertaken. As a result, the focus of this research is on Smartphone usage and social contact among students, how students engage with their smartphones, the pattern of Smartphone usage, social interaction by students, and the extent to which students use their smartphones to interact.

Delta State University, Abraka, often known as DELSU, is a state-run university with its main campus in Abraka, Delta. It was founded on April 30, 1992, by the then-Executive Governor of the State, Olorogun Felix Ibru. Delta State University, Abraka has a long history as an educational institution. During the colonial era and for a few years after, it was known as the Government Teachers' Training College. The University has a multi-campus system, with three campuses located around 200 kilometres apart. The University provides a variety of programmes, including full-time certificate, diploma, and degree programmes, as well as evening and weekend degree programmes. The University provides postgraduate programmes up to and including the doctorate level. Among the provided support services are a staff/student counselling centre, an e-learning centre, student housing, and athletic facilities. The National Institutions Commission oversees and accredits the twenty-five federal universities.

Delta State University now has three campuses: Abraka, Anwai-Asaba, and Oleh, with eleven (11) faculties: Arts, Social Sciences, Science, Education, Pharmacy, Basic Medical Sciences (BMS), Engineering, Law, Management Sciences, Clinical Sciences, and Agriculture.

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