ABSTRACT
The new media otherwise known as the social media is the focus of this study. It is an impact assessment research using the students of Federal University Oye-Ekiti as its study sample. The social media platforms included in this project includes; Facebook, Instagram, Whatsapp and Biogs. Youths, especially undergraduates are the target of the study. The research explores how much quality time youths spend on social media interactions. The method used in carrying out the research is the opinion poll method. It is observed that students spend most of their time chatting and browsing online rather than pay attention to their studies. The research submits that if the recommendations made receive adequate attention, youths will waste less time on irrelevant media platforms to the benefit of their education and future career.
TABLE OF CONTENT
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 Introduction .......................................................
1.1 Background to study ................................................
l.2 Purpose of study .....................................................
1.3 Significance of study ................................................
1.4 Scope of study ......................................................
1.5 Limitations of study ................................................
1.6 Objectives of study .................................................
1.7 Methodology .........................................................
1.8 Research questions ...................................................
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Evolution of the computer .......................................
2.2 Historical Evolution of lnternet. ................................
2.3 The New Media ......................................................
2.4 Communication Theory ...........................................
2.5 Importance of Effective Communication ...........................
2.6 Empirical Literature ....................................................
2.7 The Perception Theory ..................................................
2.8 The Concept of Social Media ...........................................
2.9 The Concept of eeds and Gratification ...............................
2.10 Theoretical Framework ..................................................
CHAPTER THREE
3.0 METHODOLOGY
3.1 A brief history of Federal University Oye-Ekiti ..............................
3.2 Federal University Oye-Ekiti students and social media ........................
3.3 Analyzing the opinion poll. ......................................................
3.4 An Assessment of the Impact of Social Media ...............................
CHAPTER FOUR
4.1 Summary.............................................................. 39
4.2 Recommendations................................................... 39-40
4.3 Conclusions ............................................................ .40
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
PREAMBLE
The computer/internet age introduced the world to a new wave of communication that was never experienced prior to the invention of computer. The focus of this project is
the impact on youths, of the new platforms of information dissemination and the effects
of the interactions thus created by the new fad called the social media.
Social media are computer-mediated tools that allow people to create, share or
exchange information, ideas, and pictures/videos in virtual communities and networks.
Social media is defined as "a group of Internet-based applications that build on the
ideological and technological foundations of the World Wide Web (simply called the
web), such that allows the creation and exchange of user-generated content" Kaplan
Andreas, Haenlein Micheal(6 l).
Furthermore, social media depends on mobile and web-based technologies to
create highly interactive platforms through which individuals and communities share, co-
. create, discuss, and modify user-generated content. They introduce substantial changes to
communication between businesses, organizations, conununities, and individuals. Social
media differ from traditional or industrial media in many ways, including quality, reach,
frequency, usability, immediacy and permanence. Social media operates in a dialogic transmission system, many sources to many
receivers. This is in contrast to traditional media that operates w1der a mono-logic
transmission model one source to many receivers. Murthy, Dhiraj (7-8)
Social media has been broadly defined to refer to 'the many relatively inexpensive and widely accessible electronic tools that enable anyone to publish and access information, collaborate on a common effort, or build relationships
There are many effects that stem from internet usage. According to Nielsen,
internet users continue to spend more time with social media sites than any other type of
site. At the same time, the total time spent on social media in the U.S. across PC and
mobile devices increased by 99 percenrto 121 billion minutes in July 2012 compared to
66 billion minutes in July 2011. For content contributors, the benefits of participating in
social media have gone beyond simply social sharing to building reputation and bringing
in career opportunities and monetary income, as discussed by Tang, Gu, and Whinston
(41-42.)
Basically, social media is expressed as making use of the internet and some of the
examples of social networks are the likes of Facebook, Whatsapp, blackbeny messenger, Instagra01 e.t.c. It is also important to note that 'Social Media' is a new media agent
unlike the Television and Radio set that had been in existence earlier.
Social media is also the theoretical construct which is useful even in the social
sciences- and not just the arts; to study relationships between individuals, groups,
organjzations or even the entire society. The term is used mainly to describe a social
structure determined by interactions. The tie through which any given social unit
connects represents the convergence of the various social contacts of that unit instead of the properties of these units themselves. Thus, one common criticism of social network
theory is that individual agency is often ignored although this may not be the case in
practice. Precisely because many different types of relations singular or in combination
fom1 these network configuration.
This study takes a look at the impact of social media on the students of Federal
University Oye-Ekiti with a view to ascertain the nature of social media with the most
. impact, its objectives as well as the positive and negative effects it has on them
1.1 BACKGROUND TO STUDY
Since the inception of computer internet, the mode of communication has
changed from the regular forms of communication via phone calls or exchange of letters
using the post offices. Social media has made it easier and less strenuous for individuals
to communicate as one can be in his sitting room in Nigeria and reach a fellow who is out
of the country just sitting and chatting via cell phone, laptop or other gadgets. This form
of communication has also helped to manage financial resources as one does not have to
travel through a far distance using huge amount of money for transport in other to interact
as desired.
1.2 PURPOSE OF STUDY
The purpose of this research is to take a critical look at the word 'Social media', what it
entails as a whole, the various types of social networks available, how they operate and
essentially , how they have affected the lives of youths most especially university
students. Students of Federal University Oye-Ekiti form a paradigm of other students
anywhere in the world.
1.3 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY
This study is embarked upon the hope that it will help enlighten the youths on what social media entails, how it evolved as well as the positive and negative impacts of social media on their day to day lives. Furthermore, to enable youths make use of social media not just for pleasure purposes but as an instrument for improving their behavioral patterns.
1.4 SCOPE OF STUDY
The scope of this research work is within the limit of social media agents such as Facebook, twitter, Whatsapp, badoo, instagram, blackberry messenger, biogs e.t.c. Any other media forms other than the ones mentioned are not being included in the research work.
1.5 LlMITATION OF STUDY
Due to the fact that social media is a newly invented form of media and has not been
deeply worked on by researchers; there are limited materials for this work. Therefore
some aspects might not be deeply touched. All opinion polls gathered for this work is
• submitted as audio disc attached to the project and not fully transcribed as a result of allotted research report space.
1.6 OBJECTIVES OF STUDY
This research work aims at making youth understand what social media is To understand how it came into existence,
The negative and positive impacts, To unveil the level of harm that social media have done.
Assessment of the effects on writing skills, Psychological, emotional, social and
educational impact.
1.7 METHODOLOGY
Basically, relevant information for this study was gathered using library resources as well as opinion poll method.
1.8 RESEARCH QUESTION
Do you make use of social media?
How much time do you spend on social media?
Do you browse in class?
When you stroll on the streets do you chat?
Do you think social media affects your writing skills?
If yes, how does it affect your writing skills?
Do you find yourself irrestibly drawn co social media?
