The effect of ICT and social networks on university students

Abstract

The way we communicate is constantly evolving. Information and communication technologies (ICT) and social networks intervene directly in the culture of a country. In Mexico, the number of users have increased to over 79 million. However, inequality in access to ICTs hinders the purpose of speeding up the society-social network relationship that allows interactive and dynamic learning in education, in addition to personal gratifications. This research has attempted to identify the effect of ICT and social networks on university students, through access, use, and social and academic gratification. This is a mixed study (qualitative/quantitative), with a prospective and cross-sectional quantitative approach. Almost 500 students from the Autonomous Universities of Baja California and Benito Juárez of Oaxaca were included. Descriptive statistics and the multiple correspondence analysis test were obtained as an inferential method for the analysis of the information. After an analysis of the results, a reflection is made about how ICT and the use of social networks produce changes in university behavior and in interpersonal affectation which is significantly associated with the university they attend.