| Sumario: | This study focuses on students pervasive use of social networking sites for academics at BGS Institute of Technology, Adichunchanagiri University (ACU). Following a detailed literature review, we hypothesized that social networking sites significantly impact students' academic performance, technical knowledge, and professional networking skills. The objectives include examining the extent of SNS usage, its purposes, associated benefits and risks, and its contribution to academic and professional development. Data was collected via Google Forms from 433 students at BGSIT, ACU, Karnataka, India. Statistical analysis was employed to analyze the data and test hypotheses. Sharing of ideas on SNSs for specific academic purposes. Project Ideas (2 = 989.063, p-value = 0.000) received strong responses, with a significant majority (54.3%) rating it as a 4, indicating that sharing project ideas is a prominent use of SNS platforms. The p-value of 0.000 confirms that the result is statistically significant. While social networking sites positively impact academic development and technical skill-building, specific risks, such as academic distraction, warrant attention. Limitations and future research directions are discussed. This study suggests that librarians and educators should incorporate SNS-based learning modules and digital literacy programs to encourage effective academic use while managing risks like academic distraction and overuse. Such practices can enhance the productive integration of SNS in higher education environments.
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