Social Networking Site Use, Multitasking, and Academic Performance Among United States and European University Students

• In Event: Roundtable Session 43
  In Roundtable Session: Virtual Education: Effective Learning Practices for Teachers and Students

Abstract

Studies have shown that multitasking with technology, specifically Social Networking Sites (SNSs), decreases efficiency and productivity in an academic setting. This study investigates multitasking’s impact on the relationship between SNS-use and Grade Point Average (GPA) in United States (US; n = 446) and European (n = 129) college students using Moderated Multiple Regression. Results showed that the negative relationship between SNS-use and GPA was moderated by multitasking only in the US sample. This may be due to European students being less prone to “disruptive” multitasking. They reported not attending to incoming messages on SNS(s) immediately, inducing less interference. The results provide valuable cautionary information about the impact of multitasking and using SNS(s) in a learning environment on university students’ GPA.

Authors

• Aryn C. Karpinski, Louisiana State University - Health Sciences Center New Orleans

• Paul A. Kirschner, Open University of the Netherlands

• Ipek Ozer, Kent State University

• Jennifer Mellott, Kent State University - Kent

• Pius Ochwo, Kent State University