*CHARLES CHINEDU ONWUNALI, Ph.D., **HUSSEINI HASSAN SHAIBU, Ph.D. ***TAIWO OLAMIDE SOREMI

Abstract

This study examined the use of social media on student’s interpersonal relationship. Anchored on the Technological Determinism and the Uses and Gratification theory, the study adopted the survey design to identify the pattern of youth exposure to social media, the usage pattern of social media among youths and the extent to which social media usage affects interpersonal relationship among youths who constitute the undergraduate population. Findings of the study show that majority of the respondents (61.5%) are exposed to social media. Findings also show that in terms of usage, majority of the respondents (65.0%) spend considerable time on social networking platforms, which they use to stay in touch with friends and also make new friends. Similarly, findings of the study show that social media has positively influenced interpersonal relationships as affirmed by majority of the respondents (78.5%). Furthermore, findings show that the use of social media has influenced interpersonal relationship amongst UNILAG undergraduates. The study therefore recommends the use of social media networking sites in enhancing interpersonal relationships amongst youths. 

Key Words: Communication, Media, Interpersonal Relationship, Internet, Social Media 

^JCMR Journal of Communication and Media Research, Vol. 12, No. 2, October 2020, pp. 116-126

© Association of Media and Communication Researchers of Nigeria (AMCRON).

About the authors

*     Charles Chinedu Onwunali, Ph.D., is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria. His research interests include Advertising and Consumer Rights Protection, Communication and Gender Empowerment and Political Communication.

**   Husseini Hassan Shaibu, Ph.D., is a Teaching Fellow at the Department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria and Head of Public Relations and Media at the National Troupe of Nigeria (NTN), a parastatal of the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture. He has considerable industry experience in Culture and Film Journalism, Broadcasting, Film Production Management and in Public Relations and Advertising. His research interest is in the evaluation of the power structure and economics of motion picture production in Nigeria.

***Taiwo Olamide Soremi is a graduate of the Department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria. She graduated as one of the best graduating students of the 2017/2018 set.

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Article Citation

Onwunali, C. C., Shaibu, H. H., & Soremi, T. O.  (2020). Uses and influence of social media in interpersonal relationship among undergraduate students of a Nigerian university. Journal of Communication and Media Research, 12 (2): 116 – 126.