Undergraduates’ Utilization of Social Networking Media and Sexual Behaviours in Higher Education: A Case Study

Valentine Joseph Owan,Mercy Bassey Ekpe,Samuel Eneje

doi:10.29333/pr/7940

Valentine Joseph Owan, Mercy Bassey Ekpe + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.29333/pr/7940

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Abstract

Background: Social media technology has provided platforms for enhanced human communication and expanded opportunities for self-expression. Despite the numerous gains, this social networking media, come with myriads of limitations; one being the tendency to be abused and/or misused, especially by young people or the young at heart. This study examined how social networking media influence the sexual behaviours of university undergraduates in Nigeria. Materials and Methods: The survey research method was adopted. A sample size of 396 students was determined using the Taro Yamane’s formula. The study was anchored on the Technological Determinism theory. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire with a reliability coefficient of 0.99 through test-retest method. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics with the aid of SPSS v25 software. Results: Findings showed, amongst others that, undergraduates in Nigerian universities are largely exposed to a substantial amount of sexual contents on various social media networks; and that this exposure negatively influences their psychology towards sex as manifested in the area of dating before marriage as a result of indulgence in interactive and romantic sites. Conclusion and Recommendations: The study recommends the introduction of social media education in higher institutions to help enlighten students on the responsible use of these technologies to minimize the inherent weaknesses and maximize the intrinsic values of utilising these media platforms.

Highlights

Sexual risk behaviour among young people is a major public health concern all over the world
Findings showed, amongst others that, undergraduates in Nigerian universities are largely exposed to a substantial amount of sexual contents on various social media networks; and that this exposure negatively influences their psychology towards sex as manifested in the area of dating before marriage as a result of indulgence in interactive and romantic sites
This has shown that undergraduates in Nigeria are highly exposed to social networking media platforms. This was statistically established through questionnaires and corroborated by the qualitative interview. This finding confirms the earlier position of Ulrich and Harris (2003) that undergraduates have largely embraced social networking media platforms abandoning the print media such as newspapers and magazines that used to be their source of information and enlightenment

Summary

Introduction

Sexual risk behaviour among young people is a major public health concern all over the world. A great deal of research attention has been paid world over towards understanding what puts young people at risk for these outcomes, given the enormous social, economic, and public health consequences (Agbodo, 2017; Sonaike, 2004; Stacks & Hockings, 1999; Ulrich & Harris, 2003, Asekun-Olarinmoye, Asekun-Olarinmoye, Adebimple, & Omisore, 2014; Arulogun, Ogbu, & Dipeolu, 2016; Williams, 2016; Collins, Martino, & Rand, 2011; Abdullahi & Abdulqaudri, 2018). It becomes very necessary to have an in-depth understanding of and do more to address risky sexual behaviours among young people, especially undergraduates who are prematurely independent and the most vulnerable groups in the society (Arua, 2011; Magnus & Gbakeji, 2009). This study examined how social networking media influence the sexual behaviours of university undergraduates in Nigeria

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