A new report finds that South Africa\u2019s students are addicted to social media, however, they believe that\u00a0it enhances their academic lives and may even help them during exam time.<\/p>\n
This was the key finding of the SA High-tech Student 2013 research study, released on Thursday (31 October) by World Wide Worx and Student Brands.<\/p>\n
The study, conducted among all universities and colleges across South Africa, included interviews with 1,435 students.<\/p>\n
Well over half \u2013 59% – of students said they were addicted to social media. However, only 16% said they were very addicted \u2013 while only 18% said they were definitely not addicted.<\/p>\n
Instant messaging (IM) has similar appeal to students: 62% said they were addicted, of which 22% said they were highly addicted to the quick fix of quick chat.<\/p>\n
As many as 85% of respondents said social media improved their studies, with a similar proportion \u2013 83% – believing it enhanced their social lives.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor students, social networking and the Internet is not a good or a bad thing in itself, but has become an integral part of their lives,\u201d said Daryl Bartkunsky, managing director of Student Brands, the student marketing specialists.<\/p>\n
Facebook is the universal social destination for students, with 96% of respondents using it, while Twitter is used by 70% of respondents. Google+ slots into third place, at 47%, thanks to the pervasive use of Google Apps for student accounts at universities.<\/p>\n
Mxit still retains a strong user base, with 39% of respondents reporting they were using it, while LinkedIn claims a 29% share, with finishing students using it for employment prospects.<\/p>\n
Instagram and Pinterest, relative newcomers to the social networking environment, respectively attracted 16% and 15% of respondents.<\/p>\n
When asked which network they would use if they could only choose one, two thirds \u2013 64% – still cited Facebook. Twitter was in distant second at 16%, followed by Google+ with 7%, Instagram 5%, Mxit 3% and LinkedIn 3%. Only 1% favoured Pinterest.<\/p>\n
Other findings include that 68% of students connect to the Internet via smartphones, 61% via laptops or notebook computers, 50% on desktop PCs \u2013 largely using universities\u2019 and colleges\u2019 machines \u2013 and 20% on tablets.<\/p>\n
The trend is driven by some institutions providing laptops and tablets to students, and low-cost financing of devices by student financial services like Eduloan.<\/p>\n
In terms of channel of access, 60% use WiFi on campus, 40% use 3G modems, and 39% use mobile data on their phones. However, a total shift to WiFi is expected in the next two years.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy 2015, all universities are required to be wireless, providing free Internet access for students,\u201d said Bartkunsky.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlready, three institutions \u2013 the Universities of Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town \u2013 have stated that all first year students will have to have a tablet or laptop by 2015.\u201d<\/p>\n
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