The Internet and Facebook Usage on Academic Distraction of College Students

• Published in: Computers and education 2019-06, Vol.134, p.41-49
• Main Authors: Feng, Shihui, Wong, Yip Kan, Wong, Lai Yin, Hossain, Liaquat
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Academic achievement; Academic distraction; Facebook; Higher education; Internet usage
• ISSN: 0360-1315; 1873-782X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compedu.2019.02.005

This study explored the effects of the Internet and Facebook usage on students' academic distraction. Facebook has become the critical vehicle for young adults to maintain their social presence and extend social connections. However, the demands for socialization and processing of scattered information on Facebook may have detrimental effects on students’ academic performance. In this study, we found that academic distraction is negatively associated with academic achievement. Students with a high-frequency usage of Facebook or the Internet for entertainment per day tended to be more distracted in academic tasks, and had lower GPA. Academic distraction played a mediating role in the indirect effect of the Internet and Facebook usage on the academic achievement of college students. The implication of the study lies in promoting the awareness and reflections of students and educators in regulating the usage behavior of the Internet and Facebook in the intensive computer-mediated environment. •The overuse of Facebook and the Internet for entertainment has a negative influence on students' academic achievement.•Students with a high-frequency usage of Facebook per day tend to be more distracted in the course of academic tasks.•Academic distraction plays a mediating role in the effect of Facebook and the Internet usage on academic achievement.•Regulating the usage of Facebook and the Internet for entertainment can be beneficial to students' academic performance.