International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development

This study investigates the usage patterns, preferences, and perceptions of students toward various social media platforms, with a particular focus on WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and DIKSHA. Data revealed that WhatsApp is the most frequently used app, followed by Instagram and YouTube, largely for communication and entertainment. In contrast, the educational platform DIKSHA saw minimal engagement, primarily due to lack of interest or awareness. Students acknowledged both the positive and negative impacts of social media, citing improved communication and social connections, alongside concerns like eye strain and reduced face-to-face interaction. Correlation analysis revealed significant relationships between social media knowledge and specific behavioural patterns, especially in terms of timing and place of access. The study highlights the need for better promotion of educational platforms and suggests integrating academic content into more widely used apps to encourage balanced usage among students who used WhatsApp four times a day (86.67%) are followed by those who use Instagram and YouTube (70.83%) and 60.83%, respectively. Facebook and DIKSHA were found to be used by only a small percentage of students (21.67% and 3.34%, respectively).

The majority of students opted to access DIKSHA in the morning (38.33%). However, DIKSHA was less prevalent throughout the other times of the day, such as 28.33% and 19.17%.14.17% in the afternoon, evening, and night, respectively.

From a non-academic standpoint, students saw social media's advantages and disadvantages. The statement "I find that social media helps me make new friends" (Rank II) and "Excessive use of social media could decrease the frequency and quality of face-to-face interactions" (Rank III) took precedence over the first one, "social media can bring anxiety and depression," which had a WMS of 4.10.

The study also showed that social media use caused health problems for all students, with eye strain being the most prevalent issue (84.17%). Furthermore, issues like phony accounts were also common.