The Influence of Social Media on Moral Values and Group Norms among Secondary School Students A Study of Delta State

Abstract

This study examines the influence of social media on moral values and group norms among secondary school students in a study of the delta state. The paper covers the extent to which social media is used by secondary school students; the reasons why secondary school students use social media and the moral values and group norms that resulted from the usage of social media among secondary school students in Delta State. The descriptive research method was adopted using the quantitative approach. A total of 250 respondents were selected using the multi-stage method of sampling techniques. Data were collected with a structured questionnaire and frequency count and percentage were used to analyse the data. Thereafter, the paper concluded that secondary school students in Delta State recorded a high frequency of accessing social media. The time they spend on social media is an average of 5 hours daily. Secondary school students make use of all social media features to attract sexual compliments from their numerous friends (Near and distant). Social media has a significant influence on social values and group norms by way of sexual exposure on social media and they tend to display some of the content they see on social media. The recommendations for the heavy usage of social media by secondary school students in Delta State should be discouraged as their parents should ensure they monitor the contents of the social media they access. posting of sexual content on social media should be discouraged and secondary school students in Delta State should be taught how to block users who frequently nude pictures and videos parents should restructure the time at which their school children access the social media and the contents that they view, read and share.