CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of study

Social media is a type of internet application that can be accessed via smartphones and computers.Social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat have grown in popularity to the point where it is difficult to find a teen or young person in a city who does not use one or more of them (Lindsay, 2011; France, & Roberts, 2015). It is undeniable that these applications are changing everything now, more than ever before. Prior to this period, making friends and starting a relationship was done solely through traditional methods of face-to-face social interaction in specific settings such as schools, churches, parties, and clubs.can now interact and form friendships with people who are physically apart from them (Ajayi, 2010; Bailey & Barbara, 2014).Adolescence is a period of self-discovery, growing social freedom, and personal growth. While classmates, parents, and instructors have a direct influence on adolescents during everyday face-to-face encounters, Internet-based entities are increasingly important during this vital life period. In recent years, internet use for social purposes has risen substantially, with 95 percent of US adolescents aged 12 to 17 frequently ‘going online,' and 80 percent using some form of social networking website. SNSs are a relatively new phenomenon that is becoming increasingly popular among teenagers. These are websites that allow users to communicate socially and build online profiles that may (or may not) mirror their real-life identities. Users can add images, audio, and text to pro-file pages, as well as designate "friends" and other relationships. Adolescents are drawn to these websites because they allow for personalised self-promotion as well as acceptance into a group that is not always possible in real life. Social media allows adolescents to create an image they want the world to see at a time when it is just as vital to stand out as it is to blend in.

1.2 Statement of problem

Social media sites are quickly becoming a hazardous zone, particularly for teens, whose online profiles are frequently targeted by violent sexual predators. Adolescents are encouraged to compete for attention on social media in order to raise their ‘likes' and self-worth. If a teen's 'post' or 'photo' does not receive enough comments, he or she is pushed to'share' it in order for it to become more newsworthy.When the audience applauds the performer's acts, bolder and more daring behavior is praised, and the cycle continues. These seemingly harmless online activities can be quite harmful, and they can easily be translated into a dangerous offline reality.

1.3 Objective of study

1. To examine the effect social media has on the sexuality of adolescents.

2. To investigate the extent to which adolescents consume social media content,

3. To provide a solution to the prohibition of content that is harmful to adolescent sexuality.

1.4 Research question

1. What effect does social media have on the sexuality of adolescents?

2. How much social media content do adolescents consume?

3. What is the solution to the prohibition of content that is harmful to adolescent sexuality?

1.5 Significance of study

This study revealed that most parents do not normally engage their children in sex education, and that children do not feel comfortable discussing sexually-related matters with their parents, a big gap in the family that teenagers are attempting to fill at all costs. Parents, guardians, and teachers will find this study useful because it emphasizes the importance of teaching young adolescents about sex education and the importance of not ingesting sexual information from the internet.

1.6 Scope of study

This study focuses on examining the effect social media has on the sexuality of adolescents.  to also investigate the extent to which adolescents consume social media content, and it also seeks to provide a solution to the prohibition of content that is harmful to adolescents. This study is restricted to three Lagos secondary schools: Corona Secondary School, Grange School, and Chrisland International School.

1.7 Limitation of study

Finance,inadequate materials and time constraint were the challenges the researchers encountered during the course of the study

1.8 Definition of terms

Social media: Social media are interactive technologies that allow the creation or sharing/exchange of information, ideas, career interests, and other forms of expression via virtual communities and networks.

Adolescent: This is a transitional stage of physical and psychological development that generally occurs during the period from puberty to legal adulthood (age of majority).

Sexuality:Sexuality is about your sexual feelings, thoughts, attractions and behaviours towards other people.

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