Utilisation of Social Media for Child Abuse Prevention in Nigeria

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of social media on child abuse prevention in Nigeria. The objectives were to discover the level of cognizance social media has created on the issue of child abuse, child abuse prevention, and if social media is really a tool in preventing child abuse in Nigeria. The study was anchored on technology determinism theory. Using the purposive sampling technique, 30 discussants were selected for focus group discussion on the subject matter. The study found that social media alone is not effective enough in preventing child abuse in Nigeria. Research findings further revealed that although the information given about child abuse on social media platforms are believable and acceptable, there has been no significant influence of social media on child abuse prevention in Nigeria. To this end, the researcher recommended that there should be public enlightenment programs that reach the grassroots to create public awareness on child abuse prevention, its effects on children, and the legal consequences.