PATTERN OF INTERNET USE AMONG YOUTHS IN SELECTED RURAL COMMUNITIES OF YEWA NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, OGUN STATE NIGERIA

Abstract

Youths living in rural communities have limited access to internet resources. Majority who have access to it have used it for limited purposes. The study investigated pattern of internet use among youths in the study area. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 245 youths for the study. Questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Result showed more males used internet more than female (i.e 73.5% and 26.5%) respectively. Many of them (86.4%) were within ages 18-22, above average were Christians (69.4%) while the remaining were Muslims respectively. Their variations in their use of mobile platforms and applications are as follows: 82.9% used 2go, 42.4% used facebook, 54.3% used SMS, while 8.2% used it for online transactions like purchase of products. Ranking their frequent usage, 2go ranked highest followed by SMS among others. It was found there existed a significant association between respondents’ age and pattern of internet use. It was established that youths in the communities used the internet for various purposes ranging from social to economic and religious purposes.