Influence of the internet on the academic achievement of Senior High School students in the Cape Coast Metropolis of Ghana

To many, the emergence of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has done more harm than good to the youth particularly adolescent students. Hence, this study sought to investigate the influence of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on the academic achievement of students of Holy Child Senior High School in Cape Coast. It specifically examined how ICT improves the academic achievement of students, other uses to which students put ICT/internet facility, its effects on their moral behaviour, and how it can be regulated among students. It also tested relationship between the students’ use of computer and their academic performance at 5% significance level. The study design was the Mixed Method Research type with a population consisting of 70 teachers, 1010 students, their parents and internet café operators in the Metropolis. A sample size of 300 was determined for the study comprising 200 students, 50 teachers and 45 parents randomly selected, while five internet café operators in the Metropolis were purposively chosen. The study recorded a 91.3% retrieval rate. Questionnaires and interview schedules were designed to solicit information from the respondents. The SPSS was used to analysis the data gathered. The study confirms that ICT/internet has a positive influence on the academic performance of students. It is recommended that students should be allowed and encouraged to use ICT/internet strictly for only academic purposes.