STATUS OF HEALTH APPRAISAL SERVICES FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN IN EDO STATE NIGERIA
ABSTRACT:
In Nigeria, mobile phones have been instrumental to the rapid increase in
telecommunications accessibility. Mobile phones have become integral part of daily life
among the general population and college/university students. Several studies have found
that the use of mobile phones among college/university students has brought about a
profound and diverse pool of knowledge. However, mobile phone usage also has its
adverse effects. This paper examined the evolution of mobile phones in Nigeria and the
concomitant positive and adverse effects of its usage amongst students in tertiary
institutions. It identified the positive effects to include easy access to information,
instructional usage and personal convenience; while the adverse effects include distraction
in the classroom, reduced cognitive ability, cheating during examinations, cyber bulling,
poor writing skills and addiction. The paper then concluded that though mobile phones
have positive effects on the educational and socio-economic development of Nigerian
students, university authorities should take a more proactive role to reduce its adverse
effects by either prohibiting the use of mobile phones during lecture hours or encouraging
students to switch off their phones or put them on silence mode while receiving lectures.
The significance of this paper for the Nigerian educational system is that if its
recommendations are implemented, the positive effects of mobile phone usage will then
overshadow its negative effects.
INTRODUCTION
Mobile phone devices have become an essential part of daily life and a valuable means of
information dissemination since its evolution in the late 1990s’ in Nigeria and in most
developing countries. Several studies have found the use of mobile phone among youth
particularly students to be very important. In Nigeria, the emergence of mobile phones with
internet services has brought about a profound and diverse pool of knowledge. However,
it has also led, unintentionally though, to circumscribed students’ commitment to serious