Browsing by Author "Carlton Blessed Nyakana"

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    The impact of social media overuse on attention span among students of Uganda Christian University, Mukono campus
    (Uganda Christian University, 2026-03-14) Carlton Blessed Nyakana
    This study examined the impact of social media overuse on attention span among undergraduate students at Uganda Christian University, Mukono Campus. The study aimed to establish patterns of social media use, identify platform-specific distraction effects, examine behaviours linked to reduced attention, and assess strategies students used to manage attention during academic activities. A descriptive research design was used. Data were collected from 50 undergraduate students using a questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse social media usage patterns, distraction levels, attention-related behaviours, and management strategies. The findings indicated that WhatsApp was the most widely used platform, followed by TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat, with students spending several hours daily on these platforms. Platforms with fast-paced or information-dense content, particularly X/Twitter, YouTube, and TikTok, recorded higher average distraction scores. The most common behaviours associated with reduced attention were using social media while studying and checking notifications during class. Although many students applied strategies such as switching off notifications and using focus tools, a noticeable proportion did not regulate their social media use during study time. The study concluded that both the frequency of social media use and the nature of platform content influenced students’ ability to sustain attention during academic activities. These findings offer practical guidance for universities and students seeking to promote focused learning within digitally intensive environments.