The Impact of Mobile Phone Use on Interpersonal (Face to Face) Communication Amongst the Students of the University of Nairobi Main Campus

Abstract

Mobile phone use has gained popularity in the past recent years and its pervasive use has had definite impact on the traditional modes of communication. This study sought to investigate the impact of the use of mobile phone on the use of the traditional Face to Face Mode, through studying the various ways and reasons for use of the mobile phone or Face to Face communication modes by a sample of students of the University of Nairobi - Main Campus. From the hostels accommodation records held by Students Welfare Association (SWA) – the office charged with students’ accommodation matters, a sample of two hostels (one “male” and one “Female”) were selected through purposive sampling and from herein, random sampling method was employed to compose a study sample of 100 respondents to participate in the filling in of the questionnaire, six to be interviewed and 10 to participate in the Focus Group Discussion-FGD, was composed. Throgh employing a mix of quantitative and qualitative research methods, the study guided by two theories, the “Uses and Gratification” and “Media System dependency” set out to identify the formats and and the techniques in use, the various reasons for and ways the mobile phone is used in communication, the gratifications sought and the effects of the mobilephone use on the configuration of self. Quantitative data collected through the questionnaire was presented graphically through the use of MS Excel. Thereafter, all the relevant data collected through the literature review and the research process was analyzed through comparative and counter comparative method. The study established that students heavily relied on the mobile phone for academic matters, creating and maintaining relationships, settling misunderstandings and entertainment to degrees that have drastically reduced their use of the traditional use of the Face-to-Face mode and that has resulted in a mobile phone dependency. From the findings it is evident that this report has invaluable information recommendable for use as a guide by communication researchers, communication strategists and other interested persons in various lines such as advertiser, marketers and salesmen concerned with seeking effective communication