Pattern of Facebook usage and its Impact on Academic Performance of University Students: A Gender Based Comparison

Abstract

This paper explores the popularity and usage pattern of the Facebook among the University students. A self-administered questionnaire is used for collecting data from a sample of 384 students. The study reveals that 87.5% of the students have account on the Facebook and no gender differences found. Male and female on the average spend equal time on internet. Though female users spend more time on Facebook than their counterparts but male users have more Facebook friends. Facebook use, in general, adversely affecting the academic performance of students but this adverse effect is observed greater for male students. The social interaction with the existing friends is found the most common use of the Facebook among students.