Social Networking Sites and Deviant Behaviors among Youth in Damaturu

Abstract

This study investigated the social networking sites and deviant behaviors among youth in Damaturu metropolis of Yobe State, Nigeria. The study adopts survey methods by using both primary and secondary sources of data; the primary survey was conducted through structured questionnaires with close ended questions. While secondary data were collected from existing literature on social networking sites and deviant behavior. The study found that majority of the respondents were aware about the use of social networking sites to carry out deviant activities. However, the considerable number of respondents believed that they spent 1-12 hours in social networking sites engaged in deviant behaviors. The study further revealed that majority of the respondents believed that black mailing, sending of unethical, images, videos, abusive language and harassment are the most prevalence deviant behaviors carried out through social networking sites. The study recommended that the Internet Service Providers should play a significant role in controlling and monitoring of social networking sites deviant behaviors and Creation of more employment/empowerment opportunities can help to curtail the social networking sites deviant behaviors among youth.