Use and abuse of hand held devices in selected nigerian private universities

This study investigated handheld devices use and abuses in selected Nigerian private Universities. Using survey research and stratified random sampling techniques, handheld devices use and abuses questionnaire was designed and used to collect data from 300 undergraduates in two selected private universities in Ogun State. The results showed that, Android phones (55%); iPhone (33.3%); Ipad (27%) and digital camera (13%) are the most commonly used handheld devices by undergraduates. From the results, android 130(43%) and iPhone 76(25.3%) are the most frequently used handheld devices by undergraduates especially on daily basis. The findings of the results revealed that, checking and sending e-mails (75%); accessing social networking websites (Whats App, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace) – 74.3%; searching for scholarly and academic information (71.7%) and general web browsing (68%) are the major benefits with the use of handheld devices as perceived by undergraduates. The results show that watching of pornography (52.7%) and online fraud (46%) are the major abuses of handheld devices among undergraduates. The study recommends that there should be re-orientation for undergraduates by the Universities on the implications of handheld devices abuses on their academic pursuit; universities should adopt a policy for punishing any student found indulging in any act of misusing handheld devices in the academic community. However, since students are using these devices to consume information, universities must respond and develop strategies that include mobile devices.