Understanding the impact of computer-based technology storytelling for help seeking and help receiving among victims' of flood disaster

Abstract

Despite the increasing use of social media for help-seeking and receiving, less focus has been devoted to social media's role in seeking and receiving help during disaster periods like flooding, especially from a developing country perspective like Nigeria, which is facing recent worrisome flood disasters. In this study, we looked at the impact of social media storytelling on seeking and receiving help among victims of a recent flood disaster in Nigeria. An online survey was employed to collect data from 470 flood victims in Nigeria. SPSS version 25 and Smart PLS version 4 were used for data analysis. We found a positive association between social media storytelling and help-seeking among flood victims in Nigeria. The inference is that social media storytelling gives Nigerian flood victims a crucial platform to ask for assistance because of the ongoing flood disaster in the nation. Additionally, we discovered a positive connection between social media storytelling and the support provided to flood victims in Nigeria. Accordingly, assistance grew as Nigerian flood victims told more stories on social media. Finally, the study discovered that presenting stories on open platforms like YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook drew more immediate feedback and support than storytelling on Facebook and WhatsApp groups as well as interpersonal communication between social media network members. Flood victims, their families and all relevant authorities are encouraged to present flood stories on open platforms like YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook to draw more immediate feedback and support.