CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the study
The emergence of the internet brought about a whole new level of change to the media environment. Its existence has brought a paradigm shift in the packaging and dissemination of information (Khan, Razi, Mirza, Mazhar, Amjad, & Shafique, 2013). It ushered in an era of technological information and created advanced socialization mechanisms with a higher desire for news and information. With the advent of the internet came the introduction of social media, which essentially are platforms for interaction, information dissemination, and information gathering. Social media according to Khan, et al (2013) performs an intermediary role by facilitating communicative links between citizens and centers of power in a society.
The emergence of social media has therefore ignited a revolution in communication, significantly impacting the way people engage with each other. This is predominantly true for the youth, who have readily embraced and utilized social media platforms. This phenomenon has undoubtedly transformed communication by enabling advanced interaction, promoting freedom of expression, facilitating social engagement, and fostering increased political participation. The general belief is that social media play a significant role in politics by facilitating access to political information and by providing tools and avenues for political expression (Isaac, and Azubuike, 2019). Social media have created new possibilities for youths, students, and political participation.
The use of social media in politics has seen a tremendous increase over the past few years. In the 2008 United States general election, the internet and social networking sites, in particular, played a more significant role. They went from being unknown to a budding platform for increased political communication, participation and socialization. The 2008presidential campaign was the first to play out in the world of YouTube, Facebook, MySpace, and political blogging, which were the major internet-based social media. These forms of social media provide a new channel for mediated communication, which enables the audience to procure contents on demands and also share, discuss, and argue with others ((Isaac, and Azubuike, 2019).
In Nigeria, the use of social media in politics was first observed during the 2011 general elections, as noted by Udejinta in Okoroand Nwafor's (2013) study. This election was significant because it marked the adoption of Facebook as a political platform by politicians, political parties, and voters alike. Fast forward to the 2015 general elections, and social media's use had increased significantly, surpassing other media as political parties and candidates made more extensive use of it to campaign. Social media became a powerful tool, allowing for the dissemination of beliefs, opinions, ideologies, propaganda, and other campaign materials such as videos, voice notes, headlines, and broadcasts. However, this also led to negative consequences, as some releases marred the reputation of individuals and political parties. For instance, Oyenuga's (2015) publication on Senator Buruji Kashmu nearly jeopardized his political ambitions and eventual swearing-in. Additionally, a hate video targeting Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and Sen. Bola Tinubu was circulated during the election period. Nonetheless, social media played a crucial role in monitoring the voting process's integrity and acted as a watchdog for the election. It has also proved to be an effective means of political socialization among and youths and students.
Ferris & Stein, (2018) describe Political socialization as a grooming process through which people know about basic political concepts, behaviors, customs, and political principles. People assimilate these information and over a period of time through a complex process, these become part and parcel of their practical life. Political socialization tends to sustain the existing political structure and helps to work effectively. It is thought that the functioning of a political system is based on the social patterns, abilities, opinions, behaviors, habits, manners and political information of the individuals of a society (Kezar& Eckel, 2002).
Generally, youth in almost every society has aptitude and knowledge about different computer programs, videos games and internet in today’s world. Students of different educational institutions frequently use modern and latest technologies for receiving information and awareness. A variety of modern communication devices like mobile phones, music players, videos cam, personal computers etc., are being used to get valuable information (Abbas and Nawaz, 2014). Students mostly depend on the internet to streamline their current knowledge (Khan et al., 2013).
It has been observed that the increasing use of digital media technology in the recent years have tremendously affected the people in Pakistan particularly its youth (Zaheer, 2018). Sixty-four percent of Pakistan population is under 30 years of age (UNDP, 2018), and has been found heavily involved in using new media especially mobile phone and social websites, therefore both the state and society is bound to feel the ramifications of increasing use of social media. The impact of social media is very constructive on young generation of the country and has been aiding them in the field of politics and societal aspects (Zaheer, 2018). Latest social media devices like cell phones, i-pads, tablets etc., can be seen with every age group person along with availability of internet facility. These devices are used for information, entertainment and connectivity purposes by them. Social networking sites like WhatsApp, Viber, YouTube, MySpace, Blogs, Twitter, and Facebook are used widely for communication and connectivity (Zaheer, 2018)."
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The role of youths/students in electoral activities cannot be overemphasized. They play active role in mobilizing support for candidates and actual voting. They are the active participants in lection violence and also the active users of social media. The emergence of new media technologies has introduced social media as a new tool for disseminating useful political information to young people, such as voter education. Sumera, Zaeem and Batool (2020), reiterated that it has become very common to participate in online political activities through liking, mentioning, tagging, uploading, commenting, and sharing political content as well as following politicians on Facebook and Twitter. Similarly, in the words of Jha and Kodila-Tedika (2019), social media sites not only give politician means (platform) to reach out to the electorates but also serve as a means through citizens in general can socialize politically.
The ability of an individual to have informed views or opinions as well as take decisions on political issues reflects the amount and quality of information at his or her disposal on such issues, which also depends largely on the degree of his or her exposure to the media (social media inclusive).
As Nigeria advances towards a more established democracy, the influence of social media in molding political opinions and behaviours has become increasingly significant, particularly among the younger generation (Olorunnisola & Ogunsiji, 2017; Ukah, 2019). In recent years, social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and WhatsApp have provided a space for political discussions, debates, and engagement among students, serving as an alternative to traditional media channels (Adegoke, 2016). Abdulrasheed, and Yusuf (2022) stated that youths who for a long time, due to many factors, including the “hegemonic” nature of communication in Nigeria, have beginning to lend their voices and view to political matters due to access to social media. However, despite this undeniable and growing importance of social media in politics, there is a limited literature on its influence on political socialization among students, particularly with students of Delta State University as a focus.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
Generally, the objective of this study is to examine the on its influence on political socialization among students, particularly with students of Delta State University as a focus
The aims of this study are to;
- determine how Delta State University students use social media
- determine which social media sites are most frequently used by Delta State University students for political activity
- determine if students of Delta State University use social media for political socialization
- Examine how social media affects students' political attitudes, beliefs, and actions.
1.4 Research Questions
The following research questions were proposed for the study;
- How do Delta State University students use social media?
- Which social media sites are most frequently used by Delta State University students for political activity?
- Do students of Delta State University use social media for political socialization?
- How do social media affects students' political attitudes, beliefs, and actions?
1.4 Significance of the study
The significance of this study lies in its potential to contribute to the existing body of knowledge on the role of social media in political socialization among students. Specifically, the study aims to add to the understanding of how social media use influences political attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors among students in Delta State University, Abraka.
The findings of this study could be of great relevance to policymakers, university administrators, political parties, and other stakeholders who are interested in understanding the political behavior of students and their use of social media. For policymakers, the study findings could be used to inform the development of policies and strategies aimed at leveraging social media to engage and mobilize students towards active participation in the political process.
For university administrators, the study could provide insights into the ways in which social media use affects the academic performance and overall well-being of students, and inform the development of guidelines and regulations governing the use of social media on campus.
For political parties, the study could provide valuable information on the most effective ways to engage with students on social media platforms, and how to tailor their messaging to resonate with the political attitudes and beliefs of this demographic.
Overall, the significance of this study lies in its potential to enhance our understanding of the relationship between social media use and political socialization among students, and to inform the development of strategies and policies aimed at promoting active citizenship and political engagement among young people in Delta State, Nigeria.
1.5 Scope of the study
The scope of study is limited to student of Delta State University, Abraka. The increased political activities observed among the university community can be attributed to the widespread use of social media as a tool for expressing opinions, mobilizing support, and participating in political discussions and events. Largely, the advent of social media has transformed the communication dynamics within Delta State University, empowering individuals to actively engage in civic and political responsibilities. The study is thus limited in scope to all the social media platforms where student often engage with each other on political related matters. Geographically, the study is limited to all student of the Delta State University, Abraka, which current population is 22,000 (in the 2019/2020 academic session) based the information available on the institutions website.
1.7 Definition of Terms
Media: these are the different medium or change channels of mass communication which includes newspaper/magazines (the print), television houses (broadcasting) internet /new media (social media) etc.
Political Participation - Behaviour that could affect government actions through various activities, either directly by influencing the creation or implementation of policies, or indirectly by influencing the political actors that make those policies.
Television: A television is an electronic system that converts visual images (with sound) into electrical signals with the aid of an electromagnetic spectrum
Voting behaviour; refer to the action or inaction of citizensparticipation in the election of or in political related activities in their local government, state or national governement.
Voting: a formal expression of view or choice made by a person or group of persons, usually in an election
Social Media: This is the term often used to refer to new forms of media that involves interactive participation. They are online social interaction sites in which messages are developed by the users and also shared by those users between or among themselves. For example Facebook, Whatsapp, Instagrame.
Social Platforms: A web-based technology that allows for the creation, deployment, and management of social media products and services. It enables the creation of social media websites and services that have full social media network functionality.
