Exploring the Influence of E-Learning Systems on Information Overload and Social Media Addiction During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Objective: This paper investigates the association of information overload and social media addiction with academic attainment among a sample of college students in Kuwait as they switched from face-to-face to e-learning systems during the COVID-19 pandemic. The closure of universities and colleges made this a mandatory transition. Educators posit information overload (IO) would increase due to the ease of creating, sharing, and duplicating information through social media platforms. Method: This cross-sectional study surveyed a sample of 230 college students who participated by answering the information overload scale and Bergen social media addiction scale. Results: Data were analysed using SPSS; Correlations, t-tests, and linear regression were conducted. The findings showed an increase in information overload during e-Learning. Perceived course stress and social media addiction were significantly associated with levels of information overload. However, academic attainment was not significantly correlated nor predicated by information overload and social media addiction during e-learning. Conclusion: Information overload scores were shown to have increased during e-learning when compared to the results of a previous study. The negative consequences of information overload on students’ academic wellbeing were observed. However, more research is required on this population to devise ways to assist students to deal with information overload during the ongoing pandemic.

Effect of coronavirus on students food security status: A case of University of Cape Coast, Ghana

“…This drew students' attention to the pandemic. A similar study by Alali et al (2021) and Alheneidi et al (2021) in Kuwait Universities revealed that 54% of students had heard of COVID-19. In the same study, the major source of information was social media.…”

Exploration of vulnerability factors of digital hoarding behavior among university students and the moderating role of maladaptive perfectionism

“…Perceived information overload, especially in the realm of social media, not only induces negative emotional states but can also precipitate adverse behavioral responses, as noted by Luqman et al 36 Moreover, empirical investigations have substantiated a correlation between information overload and internet addiction, as evidenced by the research conducted by Alheneidi. 37 In a previous study, Alheneidi et al 38 ascertained that excessive exposure to information on social media platforms resulted in heightened stress among users and could ultimately lead to exhaustion. Additionally, analysis of data from 405 WeChat users and 442 smartphone app users demonstrated that information overload and communication overload exert a positive influence on users’ exhaustion.…”

Analysis of Antecedents and Consequences of Workplace-Related Burnout Among Croatian Employees in the Post-Covid-19 Era

“…Information overload (IO) is a stress-related syndrome resulting from an excessive amount of information (AlHeneidi et al, 2021). This typical feature of today's workplace is caused by the rapid advancement of information and communication technologies, a trend further accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic (Mannion, 2022).…”

“…Faced with the avalanche of information from diverse sources, employees find it challenging to manage the influx, leading to "information fatigue syndrome" (Buchanan & Kock, 2001) which affects a person's ability to distinguish, categorize, organize, process, and learn from new information (Nowak et al, 2018). Excessive information has been linked to work-related stress, irritation, agitation, and depression (Alheneidi & Smith, 2021). Moreover, it unfavorably affects decision-making, innovative thinking, productivity, and motivation (Nowak et al, 2018), which can disturb workplace dynamics and negatively affect individual well-being.…”