The Perceived Effect of TikTok on Students’ Academic Performance: The Case of Jimma University, College of Social Science and Humanities in Focus

Abstract

TikTok is a well-liked powerful media platform for students. TikTok's competence in collaboration, live streaming, and duets has captured affect university students' academic performance. The main aim of this study was to investigate the perceived effect of TikTok on students’ academic performance at Jimma University College of Social Science and Humanities students. The study employed the cross-sectional research design method. To draw the sample stratified random sampling techniques were used. For this study out of 395 total populations, 198 respondents (as sample size) were selected. To analyse the data descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were employed and SPSS version 27 software was used for data analysis. The result of the independent sample t-test indicated that there was no significant difference between male and female, urban and rural, living in dorm and out of dorm, in TikTok users’ academic performance. (t= 0.377, MD=0.33, DF=185, p = 0.707), (t= 0.609, MD= 0.42 DF=185, p = 0.), 543, (t= 1.12, MD= 0.159 DF=185, p = 0.264) respectively. The finding of the multiple linear regression model shows a significant relationship between academic performance of students and TikTok use for academic activities, time spent on TikTok, live streaming, and frequent use of TikTok. Depending on the findings, students are recommended to be aware of the positive and negative effect of TikTok usage on academic performance. Besides, the students are suggested to minimise spending time on TikTok use and to pay attention to their education.