Higher Social Media Use Research Articles

Vaccine conspiracy beliefs are the main determinant of adult vaccine hesitancy

Abstract Background Many factors influence the level of vaccine hesitancy. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that conspiracy beliefs are an important element of overwhelming misinformation. The main aim of the study was to assess the relationship between vaccine hesitancy (VH) and vaccine conspiracy beliefs (VCB) in Polish society. Methods The analysis was conducted using data from an online survey of 2189 Internet users conducted in November 2021. Uni- (ULRM) and multivariable linear regression (MLRM) models were developed for vaccine hesitancy as a dependent variable. The independent variables included VCB score (VCBS), health (HL) and e-health literacy (eHL), Internet (IU) and social media use (SMU), political views (PV), and sociodemographic variables. Results The VCBS, eHL, HL, age, income, vocational and marital status, place of residence, PV, IU, and SMU were significant predictors of VH in ULRMs. A significant relationship with VH was maintained in MLRM for all independent variables enlisted earlier, apart from age, income, and vocational status. Respondents with higher VCBS were more likely to have higher VH (B, 95%CI: 0.38, 0.37-0.40). Those with undetermined HL had higher VH than persons with sufficient HL (B, 95%CI: 0.13, 0.06-0.20). A higher level of eHL predicted a lower level of VH (B, 95%CI: -0.01, -0.012 - -0.03). Lower IU and higher SMU were associated with higher VH (B, 95%CI: 0.16, 0.02-0.30, and 0.10, 0.03-0.17, respectively). Supporters of far right-wing party showed higher HV than supporters of the governmental party (B, 95%CI: 0.16, 0.07-0.27). Finally, singles showed higher HV than married (B, 95%CI: 0.07, 0.01-0.13), and residents of small cities had higher HV than residents of rural areas (B, 95%CI: 0.08, 0.004-0.15). Conclusions The vaccine conspiracy beliefs play a major role in the development of VH. The interventions aimed at the change of antivaccination attitudes should address the problem of widespread conspiracy beliefs. Key messages • Conspiracy beliefs are an important determinant of attitudes toward vaccination. • The development of adequate digital health literacy may be a protective factor against vaccine hesitancy.

Exploring the Link Between Social Media Engagement, Social Anxiety, and Environmental Preferences in University Students

As mental health issues become increasingly prominent, social anxiety is prevalent among university students and significantly affects their social behaviors and environmental preferences. With the increasing reliance on social media, understanding how these behaviors shape preferences for physical social environments is crucial for designing supportive campus spaces. This study investigates the relationship between social anxiety, social media usage, and environmental preferences in campus settings. We aim to identify the key environmental factors that can promote healthier social interactions for students with varying levels of social anxiety and social media use. Data were collected from university students through a structured questionnaire assessing demographic characteristics, online and offline behavior, social media usage intensity, social anxiety level, and environmental preferences. Using K-means clustering, participants were grouped into four clusters based on their social media usage and social anxiety levels. ANOVA and Multivariate Multiple Regression (MMR) were conducted to examine differences in environmental preferences across these clusters. Significant differences in environmental preferences were observed across the four clusters. Gender and grade influenced social anxiety levels, with females and undergraduate students reporting greater anxiety. Individuals with high social media use, regardless of their anxiety levels, generally exhibited stronger preferences for various environmental dimensions, including openness, convenience, facility provision, safety/comfort, and cultural landscape. However, individuals with higher social anxiety tended to prefer enclosed, facility-rich, and more controlled environments. The relationship between social anxiety and preferences for convenience, safety/comfort, and cultural landscape was minimal or non-significant. This study highlights the importance of considering both behavioral and psychological factors when designing university social environments. By identifying specific environmental preferences of students with high social anxiety, the findings offer evidence-based recommendations for creating more inclusive and supportive campus spaces that promote positive social interactions and well-being.

Young females experience higher body image dissatisfaction associated with a high social media use: a cross-sectional study in Omani university students

BackgroundThis study aimed to assess body image dissatisfaction in Omani university students across gender and age and explore the potential impact of social media use on body image dissatisfaction. This cross-sectional online survey was responded by 482 Omani university students. The survey included socio-demographic data, a Social Media Activity Questionnaire, and a Body Dissatisfaction Scale. The participants were approached through promotion of the study on locally famous social media accounts.ResultsThe prevalence of body image dissatisfaction was higher in females compared to males (37.7% and 24%, respectively). Additionally, 53.6% of participants with a high body mass index reported high levels of body image dissatisfaction, while underweight participants reported the lowest body image dissatisfaction (21.3%). High social media use showed a significant correlation with body image dissatisfaction (p < 0.001); however, age did not exhibit a significant association with body image dissatisfaction. Concerns related to being overweight and not having clear skin were the most common body features associated with body image issues.ConclusionHigher levels of body image dissatisfaction were found with high social media use. The study also identified a higher prevalence of body image dissatisfaction in females compared to males, with no significant differences across age groups.

Break From Digital Screen Using Digital Detox Program in Nursing Students.

This study evaluated the effectiveness of an 8-week digital detox program on digital screen use among 300 nursing students and explored associations between screen use and demographic variables. A one-group pretest posttest design was employed using the Social Media Addiction Scale Student Form. The digital detox program was implemented for 8 weeks. Digital hygiene, self-reflection and goal setting, mental wellness, screen time management, physical health, interpersonal relationships, digital detox challenges, and hobby-based activities. Chi-square test was employed to determine the associations between digital screen use and demographic variables, respectively. t-tests were conducted to compare the mean screen time across different demographic groups. Results showed that 42% of students had high social media use, while 20% had low use. The overall mean score of social media use decreased significantly from 64.13 to 47.79 postintervention (p < 0.05), indicating the program's effectiveness. The study suggests incorporating digital detox routines to balance technology use with health, productivity, and external connections.

The impact of family factors and digital technologies on mental health in university students.

A substantial body of research indicates an increasing prevalence of mental health issues among university students in a range of countries. A number of psychosocial factors have been put forward in the research literature as possible explanations for this persistent decline in psychological wellbeing in higher education. The present study focused on the role of family factors and the use of digital technologies by students. A replication study was conducted at the University of the Americas (Chile) based on a previous study on psychosocial factors of academic learning patterns and mental health of university students at the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), Spain. A cross-sectional design was employed, using the same questionnaire, plus indicators of most frequently used digital technologies by the students. The questionnaire was administered online at the same time to all incoming students, gathering a sample of 4,523 students. A series of multiple regressions and ANOVAs was conducted to ascertain the extent to which family and digital factors could be identified as predictors of mental health indicators. The most significant findings indicate that high levels of parental protection and control/discipline, and especially the high use of social media and smartphones, are particularly salient factors contributing to mental health problems in the learning process of higher education students. The results suggest strategies to promote wellbeing, with a focus on the psychosocial diversity within an inclusive university community. Social and digital innovation, collective entrepreneurship, and participatory place-building may facilitate networks of artistic, cultural, ecological, and sports spaces to promote the sense of university community. A longitudinal follow-up on the same sample across academic years will reveal the extent to which these wellbeing initiatives are fruitful.

Can social connections become stressful? Exploring the link between social media use and perceived stress in cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses of 25,053 adults

Background Social media has become a dominant part of daily lives for many, but excessive use may lead to an experience of stress. Only relatively few studies have investigated social media’s influence on mental health. Aims We aimed to investigate whether social media use is associated with perceived stress and changes in perceived stress over 18 months. Methods The study population consisted of 25,053 adults (mean age 42.8; 62% women) from the SmartSleep Study. Self-reported frequency of social media use, of 10 specific social media platforms, and of perceived stress (the Perceived Stress Scale 4 item) was obtained at baseline and 18-months follow-up (N = 1745). The associations were evaluated at baseline and follow-up using multiple linear regression models adjusted for potential confounders. Results Compared to non-use, high social media use (at least every second hour) was associated with a slightly higher perceived stress level at baseline. No association was found between the frequency of social media use and changes in perceived stress during follow-up. Only small differences in these associations were noted across social media platforms. Conclusions Further studies are needed to comprehensively explore the relationship between excessive social media use and mental health, recognizing different characteristics across social media platforms.

Impact of Social Media and Peer Pressure on Moral Disengagement among Secondary School Students in Onitsha North LGA, Anambra State

Nigerian students are at a crossroads because of the rapid erosion of the value system in Nigeria, not because of corruption, unemployment, and poverty. The emergence of social media and peer influence has a different impact. This study explored the effects of social media and peer pressure on moral disengagement among secondary school students in Onitsha North LGA of Anambra State. The research sample size was 400 secondary school students selected through a multi-stage sampling technique from a population of 1,400 secondary school students in 12 government secondary schools in the Onitsha Education Zone. The results show that the presence of participants on social media, such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, etc., is quite high, with more than half of the population 167 (50.9%) always using social media. These findings also reveal the high use of social media among students, which may hurt student life, especially moral life. It was also confirmed that friendship and fun were the main satisfactions students got from social media, with a combined rate of 68% for 238 students. In addition, peer pressure has a negative (but not significant) impact on students' moral disengagement. However, this impact did not reach a substantial proportion at β = 0.06, p &gt; 0.05 (n = 389), which means that the results did not support the first hypothesis, so it was rejected. Social media has a positive and significant impact on students' moral disengagement at β = 0.49, p &lt; 0.05 (n = 389). These findings reveal a directly proportional impact of social media use on students' moral disengagement. It is recommended that parents, teachers, and other guardians regulate internet exposure via social media in teenagers and young adults to prevent them from becoming too busy or becoming addicted.

Social media impact on psychological well-being-A cross-sectional study among the adolescents of Odisha.

Psychological well-being encapsulates positive dimensions, encompassing an individual's sense of mastery, autonomy, personal growth, and a profound connection with purpose and meaning in life. In the domain of mental well-being, research indicates that social media yields consequential outcomes, contributing to elevated levels of well-being, life satisfaction, and social support. The engagement of adolescents with social networking sites serves as a facilitator in fortifying existing friendships and cultivating new connections through online platforms. This, in consequence, alleviates social isolation and loneliness, thereby fostering a discernible enhancement in the mental health of adolescents. The study was conducted among 120 undergraduate students studying in different colleges of Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The study was based on a 2 (social media use) ×2 (gender) factorial design with independent variables being the social media use (high use and low use) and gender (boys and girls) of the undergraduate students. All of the adolescents were in the age group of 17-19 years. Subjects were randomly selected from different undergraduate colleges of Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Data analysis was performed using the IBM SPSS Statistics software version 21. The sample consisted of 120 students from different colleges of Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Comparisons of psychological well being mean scores of subjects indicated that high social media use had higher psychological well being than their low social media use among the counterparts. Psychological well being scores of the boys was found to be higher than girls, indicating that boys were psychologically healthier than their girl counterparts. The finding of this study revealed that higher social media users had better perceived social support than lower social media users. Comparison of mean scores disclosed that boys and higher social media users had better psychological well-being than girls and lower social media users respectively. Social media is linked to social support and psychological wellbeing among the college students. This information will provide information to psychologists and public health specialist guiding their work with college students.

Social Media Friendship Jealousy.

A new measure to assess friendship jealousy in the context of social media was developed. This one-factor, seven-item measure was psychometrically sound, showing evidence of validity and reliability in three samples of North American adults (Study 1, n = 491; Study 2, n = 494; Study 3, n = 415) and one-, two-, and three-year stability (Study 3). Women reported more social media friendship jealousy than men (Studies 2 and 3) and younger women had the highest levels of social media friendship jealousy (compared with younger men and older men and women; Study 2). Social media friendship jealousy was associated with lower friendship quality (Study 1) and higher social media use and trait jealousy (Study 2). The relation between social media friendship jealousy and internalizing symptoms indicated positive within time associations and longitudinal bidirectional relations (Study 3). Specifically, social media friendship jealousy predicted increases in internalizing problems, and internalizing problems predicted greater social media friendship jealousy accounting for gender and trait levels of social media friendship jealousy and internalizing problems. Anxious and depressed adults may be predisposed to monitor threats to their friendships via social media and experience negative consequences because of this behavior. Although social media interactions can be associated with positive well-being and social connectedness, our results highlight that they can also undermine friendships and mental health due to jealousy.

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on screen time and sleep in early adolescents.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, adolescents and families have turned to online activities and social platforms more than ever to maintain well-being, connect remotely with friends and family, and online schooling. However, excessive screen use can have negative effects on health (e.g., sleep). This study examined changes in sleep habits and recreational screen time (social media, video gaming), and their relationship, before and across the first year of the pandemic in adolescents in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study. Mixed-effect models were used to examine associations between self-reported sleep and screen time using longitudinal data of 5,027 adolescents in the ABCD Study, assessed before the pandemic (10-13 years) and across six time points between May 2020 and March 2021 (pandemic). Time in bed varied, being higher during May-August 2020 relative to pre-pandemic, partially related to the school summer break, before declining in October 2020 to levels lower than pre-pandemic. Screen time steeply increased and remained high across all pandemic time points relative to pre-pandemic. Higher social media use and video gaming were associated with shorter time in bed, later bedtimes, and longer sleep onset latency. Sleep behavior and screen time changed during the pandemic in early adolescents. More screen time was associated with poorer sleep behavior, before and during the pandemic. While recreational screen usage is an integral component of adolescent's activities, especially during the pandemic, excessive use can have negative effects on essential health behaviors, highlighting the need to promote balanced screen usage. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

#mybestmidlife: Profiles of photo-based social media use and body image among midlife women

Empirical data, predominantly from young women, suggest photo-based social media use is associated with greater body dissatisfaction. The present study aimed to extend these findings to midlife women and identify risk profiles for maladaptive appearance-focused social media use. A convenience sample of female Instagram users aged 40 or over (M= 50.92 years) (n = 192) was collected. Most participants were partnered, white, highly educated, and heterosexual. A cluster analysis in cross-sectional data grouped participants into four categories according to body image indices (following body positive or fitness accounts, body appreciation and dissatisfaction, thin and muscular ideal internalization, and appearance comparison). Differences by cluster emerged according to indices of social media use (e.g., photo editing, social media rumination), although following appearance-related content across types seemed to distinguish risk profiles more than the types of appearance-related content engaged with (i.e., body positive vs fitness). Furthermore, results indicated that higher social media use was associated with greater perceived negative effects of social media, suggesting that awareness alone may be insufficient to reduce behavioral risk. Findings indicate that some midlife women who use photo-based social media may be at high risk for appearance concerns, warranting further research and resource development for this group.

Reported Depression and Anxiety Symptoms among Social Media Users in the General Population of Saudi Arabia: A Cross-sectional Survey

Objectives: In this study, we assessed the impact of social media use on the mental health of a sample of adults in Saudi Arabia. Methods: Using multi-stage cluster random sampling of staff from 12 schools and their families, we administered a cross-sectional survey to adults in Buraidah, Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire included demographics, social media use patterns, and anxiety and depression scales. We used a 2-step cluster analysis used to classify participants according to their social media use, resulting in 2 categories ‐ high use and low use. Our statistical analysis included independent sample t-tests and multiple linear regression. Results: A total of 574 participants were enrolled with a mean (SD) age of 34.33 (10.61) years; 324 (56.4%) were women. Those with high social media use had significantly increased depression (adjusted mean difference = 3.88, 95% CI 2.99-4.78, p &lt; .001) and anxiety (3.605, 95% CI 2.8-4.4, p &lt; .001) scores compared to the low use group. Patterns of social media use showed a weak to moderate correlation with depression and anxiety (p &lt; .001). Conclusion: Adults with problematic and high use of social media have higher reported symptoms of depression and anxiety. Certain patterns of social media use have a negative impact on mental health and increase risk of depression and anxiety.

Description of Social Media Use and Self-Esteem of Adolescents in Makassar City

Adolescence is a crucial period of time and very challenging period. There is an increase concern on how social media use and mental health of teenagers. In Makassar City, there is a high number of mental health in adolescence yet still rare research has been conducted to investigates about social media use and self-esteem on teenagers. The aim of this study is to give a description on how adolescence behaviour on social media use and their level of self-esteem. This research uses a quantitative study with descriptive study design. The participant was selected based on some inclusion criteria such as teenagers’ age 16-18 years old, able to speak Bahasa, stay in Makassar City and willingly to become participant. The participant was determined by using non-probability sampling using convenience sampling method. There are 118 participants on this research. Three types of instruments were used; demography questionnaire, intensity of social media use and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. From 118 participants, 19 were male and 99 were female. There are 42 respondents spend more than 6 hours on social media, and 54 respondents spend 2-6 hours on social media per day. Most of the respondents use their social media for see feed (20%), give like (14%), stalking (9%), news sharing (9%) and give comment (6%). Most of the respondents have high social media use (70 respondents) and low self-esteem (66 respondents). Social media use is quite high among teenagers in Makassar City and the self-esteem is mostly low. Thus, it is important to investigate the relationship of social media use and self-esteem so that it can give a comprehensive understanding on adolescence’s mental health and wellbeing in Makassar City

Tinjauan Dramaturgi, Pengelolaan Kesan dalam Iklan Partai Politik "PAN PAN PAN"

Ahead of the 2024 Election, the virality of party jingles on social media has become interesting phenomenon in Indonesian politics. It caused the Election following by new voters with high use of social media. Therefore, political parties began to compete to attract the attention of these new voters in various ways, one of which was making the party's advertising content viral so that it became known to the community. The Partai Amanat Nasional (PAN) became one of the parties that succeeded in boosting electability after the viral jingle called PAN-PAN-PAN. There are some messages and agendas carried trough the song. So, researchers employing the constructivism paradigm to see how the party built political impression through jingles. A qualitative descriptive approach used to explain phenomena based on the perspective of Dramaturgical Theory, namely how impression created on front-stage and how the efforts made by the party behind the viral of PAN-PAN-PAN. As the result, the front stage especially tries to create an impression of being close to the millennial generation to get attention as new voters. Meanwhile, the jingle give the impression of being close to the community. That impressions supported by efforts to invite millennial public figures to join the party. The backstage also formed by the cadres' efforts to actualize the tagline, Bantu Rakyat.

Checking verifications during the 2022 Brazilian run-off election: How fact-checking organizations exposed falsehoods and contributed to the accuracy of the public debate

This study observes content-related indicators of the editorial decisions made by fact-checkers during the 2022 Brazilian run-off election. Specifically, it aims to investigate fact-checkers’ outputsregarding verification genres, scrutinized actors, types of verified falsehoods, and inspected platforms. The focus on Brazil stems from its reputation as a disinformation hub, owing to social polarization, populist communication, high social media use, low media trust, and intense WhatsApp penetration. Consequently, fact-checking agencies have proliferated within Brazil’s media landscape. To provide some hints about the fact-checkers’ editorial choices, we conducted a quantitative content analysis of verification articles ( n = 349) published during the second round of the presidential election by four leading fact-checking organizations: Lupa and Aos Fatos (independents), Estadão Verifica (press), and AFP Checamos (global news agency). The results reveal a prioritization of combating online falsehoods (82.2%) spread by anonymous sources, as opposed to verifying public figures’ statements (5.5%), a trend already observed in other media systems. Although Meta’s social networks and Twitter are primarily monitored, other platforms such as TikTok, Kwai, and Telegram are increasingly gaining fact-checkers’ attention. Fact-checkers predominantly scrutinized anonymous disinformation agents. Moreover, they primarily debunked falsehoods targeting the opposition, legacy media, social networking companies, and the Supreme Electoral Court. Despite the anonymity, 77.4% of the verified falsehoods were found to be beneficial to Bolsonaro, while 12% were advantageous to Lula da Silva.

Social Media Effects on Public Trust in the European Union.

This paper scrutinizes the effect of social media use on institutional trust in the European Union (EU) among European citizens. Fixed-effects regression models on data from the Eurobarometer survey conducted in 2019, the year of the most recent European Parliament (EP) elections, demonstrate that higher social media use is associated with lower trust in the EU. More importantly, social media usage habits exert particularly detrimental effects in regions with wider and faster internet connections. In such high-information environments, those who more frequently use online social networks, tend to trust those networks, and receive information on EU affairs from these networks have less faith in the EU compared to those in regions with lower-quality internet access. In contrast, in regions with lower broadband access, receiving EU information from social media fosters political trust.

The #ObGynInternChallenge: Reach, Adoption, Implementation, and Effectiveness of a Microlearning SMS-Distributed Curriculum.

While many medical schools have implemented bootcamps or specialized curricula to prepare medical students for residency, these programs are neither universal nor consistent in their content. The authors created an electronic, multimodal, short messaging service (SMS)-distributed curriculum, called the #ObGynInternChallenge, to improve learners' medical knowledge, based on the Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology educational objectives. The curriculum was open to all fourth-year medical students who matched into obstetrics and gynecology (Ob/Gyn). Daily messages were delivered to participants' mobile devices via SMS for 25 consecutive weekdays, May 3-June 4, 2021. Each day's message included an introduction with key facts, an infographic, a website link with a podcast and additional reference materials, and at least one question. The authors assessed its reach, adoption, implementation, and effectiveness. For reach and adoption, total enrollment for the curriculum was 1,057 (72.0%) of 1,469 filled Ob/Gyn residency positions in the 2021 Match. The total cost of the intervention was $2,503.20 or $2.37 per participant. For implementation, all participants who signed up for the course received the daily messages, and 858/1,057 (81.2%) completed the course. Participants felt the curriculum was an excellent resource for studying (391/426, 91.8%) and the course was enjoyable to use (395/424, 93.2%). For effectiveness, mean score improvement was 11.6% (pre-test: 62.4%, post-test: 74.0%; P < .001). In the multivariate linear regression analysis, high podcast ( P = .02) and website use ( P = .002) were associated with greater score improvement. High social media use was associated with less improvement ( P = .02). This study suggests promise for a low-cost, largely satisfying SMS-distributed curriculum in terms of offering some benefit for short-term knowledge gain. Next steps include expanding such a curriculum to meet standard learning objectives for all fourth-year medical students entering residency.

Promoting Mental Health in The Digital Age: Exploring the Effects of Social Media use on Psyhcological Well-Being

This study examined the influence of social media use on the psychological well-being of adolescents in West Java, Indonesia, in the digital age. A mixed methods approach was used, combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews to collect comprehensive data. Quantitative analysis showed that higher social media use was associated with lower self-esteem, increased body image dissatisfaction, higher levels of depression, and greater anxiety among adolescents. Qualitative findings highlighted the negative impact of social comparison, cyberbullying, and pressure to maintain a curated online image. The integration of the findings provides a nuanced understanding of the complex relationship between social media use and adolescents' psychological well-being. The results of this study have implications for theory and practice, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions and strategies to promote positive mental health outcomes in the context of social media use.

PENGARUH MEDIA SOSIAL TERHADAP KESEHATAN MENTAL PADA REMAJA

Adolescent mental health affected by social media is a topic that has been much debated in recent years. The high use of social media makes these channels an important element in the process of adolescent development. Social media is often considered to have a negative impact on adolescents. The use of social media is considered to have a risk for adolescent psychosocial deviations, such as self-esteem, ideal body image, and adolescent identity. In addition, social media is also related to issues regarding cyberbullying, easier access to pornography, and sexting behavior or exchanging messages of a sexual nature. This study uses a quantitative research approach with respect to numerical or numerical data. This study aims to find out and reveal whether there is a relationship or not and to find out how much influence there is between two variables, namely the use of social media and the mental health of social media users in Indonesia. And the results in this study are the results of the gender comparison test in social media research where men are more dominant in using social media than women, and the results of mental health are women who are more dominant in feeling mental health or mental health than men. the results of the comparative test in the study of the influence of social media on the mental health of adolescents with a comparison test according to age are 21-25 years old, who are equally dominant in using social media and experiencing mental health compared to other ages.

Social Media Use and High-Risk Sexual Behaviour among Tertiary Institution Students in Kwara State, Nigeria

&lt;p&gt;This study examined the relationship between social media use and high-risk sexual behaviour among tertiary institution students in Kwara State, Nigeria. A total of 561 students were selected by using stratified sampling technique. Data was collected with an instrument titled: Social Media and High-Risk Sexual Behaviour Questionnaire (SMHRSBQ). The measure of central tendency (mean) and mean average were used to determine levels of social media use and involvement in high-risk sexual behaviour. The Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation and One-Way ANOVA Statistics were used to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 alpha level. The Mean Average of responses on social media use was 3.19 while that of high-risk sexual behaviour was 2.83 indicating high levels on both variables among tertiary institution students respectively. Relationship between social media use and high-risk sexual behaviour was significant (p=0.00); no significant difference in social media use and high-risk sexual behaviour based on institution type (University=0.61; Polytechnic=0.13; College of Education=0.06: University=0.11; Polytechnic=0.16; College of Education=0.21) respectively. It was concluded that high use of social media predisposes students to high-risk sexual behaviour. School guidance counsellors should organise seminars periodically to sensitise students on the association between social media use and high-risk sexual behaviour.&lt;/p&gt;