International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume IV, Issue IV, April 2020 | ISSN 2454–6186

Mobile Phone Usage among University Students in Kenya: A Recipe for Sustainable Development

Margaret Ongek¹, Veronicah Onjoro^2
1Department of Curriculum, Instruction & Educational Media, University of Kabianga, Kenya
²Mount Kenya University, Kenya

Abstract: – Kenya is one of the countries where mobile phones have revolutionized nearly all sectors of life of the citizenry regardless of age and place. In recent times however, many a learner especially those at university level strive hard to have a mobile phone for various purposes. Besides the most common usage of a phone which is communication, there are other purposes that these gadgets serve. This paper therefore sets out first to survey the various ways in which mobile phones are used by learners at university and secondly, make appraisals to enhance the impact of these devices on sustainable development.

Key words: Mobile Phone, University students, Usage, Sustainable Development, Kenya

I. INTRODUCTION

The evolution of mobile telephony is one of the most astonishing innovations ever seen in recent times in the entire world. As a powerful communication gadget, the mobile phone seems to have lately permeated the entire universe from Europe to Asia, and America to Africa. Today, the mobile phone is no longer a rich man’s preserve as was the case some few years ago. Fact is that the mobile phone has become common place and within monetary reach by majority of citizens. In the same line, [1] observe that it has become usual that at every turn, there is someone using a mobile phone irrespective of place, age and time. Besides its primary role of receiving and making calls, the mobile device has become multi-functional in nature, performing the work of a timer, map, radio, television, calendar, notepad and calculator among others. In a nutshell, the mobile phone has become a necessary accessory in every sphere of life.
According to [1] the mobile phone is one such device that continues to pervade daily lives of people of all walks of life especially young people. An important segment of this youthful population comprises students at universities among whom usage of mobile phone is reported to be consistently on the rise [2]