Gender and use of social media among undergraduates in lagos

Overview
Cite Work

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1Background of Study

The world is today celebrating the improvements in communication technology which has

broadened the scope of communication through Information and Communication

Technologies (ICTs). Modern Technology in communication no doubt has turned the entire

world into a “Global village”. But as it is, technology like two sides of a coin, bring with it

both negative and positive sides. It helps people to be better informed, enlightened, and

keeping abreast with world developments (Osharive, 2015). It is no longer news that

technology exposes mankind to a better way of doing things. Social networking sites include:

Twitter, Yahoo Messenger, Facebook Messenger, Blackberry Messenger (BBM), Whatsapp

messenger, 2go messenger, Skype, Google talk, Google Messenger, iPhone and Androids.

These networking sites are used by most people to interact with old and new friends, physical

or internet friends (Asemah & Edegoh, 2012). The world has been changed rapidly by the

evolution of technology; this has resulted into the use of technology as the best medium to

explore the wide area of knowledge.

Social Media has not only changed the way users socialize and communicate, it has also

redefined the idea of friendship, community and learning. The widespread adaptation of

Social Media, particularly amongst students, all over the world has engendered researches on

the impact of Social Media on students’ educational outcome. This research examines the

relationship between gender and social media platform usage among undergraduate students

of University of Lagos, Akoka. The research explores both the negative and positive

dimensions of Social Media within the larger framework of social networking sites and

higher education. The study draws on previous researches done with students, particularly in

developed countries like the United States with the insight of highlighting the implications

for students in Nigeria, where Internet literacy is still low and traditional methods of teaching

and learning remain dominant despite several studies that indicate that Nigeria has one of the

fastest growing Internet users globally.

The last few years have seen dramatic increases in the presence and use of Social Media,

which is defined as a “group of Internet-based applications that build on the ideological and

technological foundations of Web 2.0, turning communication into interactive dialogue by

allowing the creation and exchange of user-generated content” (Kaplan & Haenlein, 2010).

Social Media has indeed allowed people to express themselves through blogs, websites,

Social Networking Sites (Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp, Instagram, Flicker, YouTube, 2Go,

Badoo, LinkedIn etc.). According to Burnett and Merchant (2011), the recent and rapid

dissemination of new forms of digital technology has had a noticeable impact on the social

and cultural lives of large sectors of the global population. Along the infusion and availability

of more interactive and user-friendly interfaces and software designs, and the increasing

sophistication of affordable mobile devices, we are witnessing the emergence of ever-newer

forms of popular communication (Burnett & Merchant, 2011).

Furthermore, web-based Social Media makes it possible to connect people who share interest

and activities, across political, economic and geographical borders through instant messaging.

Scholars such as LaRose (2011), Livingstone (2006), Boyd and Ellison (2006) have

investigated how Social Media impact on student education in higher institution. Boyd and

Ellison (2007) in their book, Social Network Sites: Definition, History and Scholarship look

at, among other issues, the implication of social networking sites use in schools. They argue

that social networking sites are not only beneficial to students, but they can also provide new

opportunities for participatory communication among teachers and students. This point seems

to be accurate to the extent that there are various instances where teachers and students in

University of Lagos, communicate on social networking sites like Facebook and Whatsapp

about classroom activities.

McLoughlin and Lee (2007) pointed out that social media platforms facilitate the sharing of

photos and videos with both real world as well as virtual friends while allowing them to build

unique online identities by customizing their personal profiles with a range of multimedia

elements that are open to others’ reading. Because the individuals on social media platforms

come together around to share common goals or needs willingly, especially tendency to

building new communities and groups or participating in them comes up. In these

environments, individuals move from being passive consumers to fully functioning members

by sharing their materials and views with others with whom they reach sensible conclusions.

Hence, this cooperative activity helps members to shape the group identity in addition to their

individual identities (Atwell, 2006

Read Download

Gender and use of social media among undergraduates in lagos

Related Works