From Screens to Skills: Evaluating Social Media as a Tool for Social Development among Nigerian Undergraduates

Abstract

Background: The integration of social media into the daily lives of university students has significantly altered traditional modes of interaction. While these platforms revolutionise communication and relationship maintenance, there is an ongoing debate regarding their influence on the development of essential social skills such as empathy, conflict resolution, and verbal communication in the Nigerian context.

Objective: This study sought to ascertain the extent of social media exposure among students at Dennis Osadebay University and Admiralty University of Nigeria, determine their specific usage patterns, and evaluate the effectiveness of these platforms in the development of their social skills.

Methodology: A survey research design was adopted, utilising a structured questionnaire to collect data from a sample of university students. A sample size of 385 was determined using the Yaro Yamane formula, with 375 usable copies retrieved for analysis. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, including frequencies and percentages.

Results: The findings revealed that 96.8% of respondents are exposed to social media to a large extent. Students spend considerable time on these platforms, with 41.9% spending 1-3 hours and 30.4% spending 3-5 hours daily. TikTok, Snapchat, and WhatsApp emerged as the most frequently used platforms. While 61.1% of respondents attested to the effectiveness of social media in cultivating social skills, 34.1% disagreed, citing issues such as reduced physical interaction and distractions during study.

Conclusion: The study concludes that social media is an effective instrument for social skills cultivation among university students despite negative impacts such as social withdrawal and academic distraction. It is recommended that students exercise self-discipline to avoid over-exposure and that university authorities organise orientation workshops to highlight the hazards of over-indulgence.