Utilisation Pattern of Mobile Applications by the Students of Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University

Abstract

Presently, most of the students have cell phones, which is due to the development and intense marketing of affordable technologies and improvements in the standards of living. Internet-enabled mobile phones have applications for various usages. A large part of these applications is being developed and marketed with an eye on the young generation as a customer and user. Technology also has two sides to it-a positive and negative side-and it is true for mobile applications also. Thus, an effort has been made to study the utilisation pattern of mobile applications by the students. A survey was conducted with 200 students, consisting of 150 undergraduates and 50 postgraduates, of Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University. Self-developed questionnaire was used to collect data, which were then analysed by using frequency, percentage, mean and z test. Findings show that all the students were using either one or more mobile applications. Students have accounts with WhatsApp, Hike, Instagram, WeChat, Line, Telegram and IMO; they showed a clear preference for WhatsApp and Hike. They were using these applications for various purposes like chatting, calling, entertainment, sharing notes, picture and videos. Although these applications helped students in group studies, getting new information, sharing notes, and so on, they also reported some negative effects such as health problems, loss of concentration during lectures, distractions in completing assignments, waste of money, misuse of photos, videos and documents and phone number, and even addiction and depression. Overall, these applications affected students positively as well as negatively.