ASSESSMENT OF THE ROLE OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN CREATION OF AWARENESS ABOUT DEPRESSION AMONG STUDENTS OF SELECTED UNIVERSITIES IN EDO STATE

ABSTRACT

The study examined the role of social media in the universities creation of awareness about depression among students of selected universities in Edo state. This study was conducted to ascertain the way social media was used in creating awareness among university students in Edo state. The researcher hinged the study on social media responsibility theory. The survey design was adopted for the study with the aid of 10-item questionnaire administered to 100 respondents purposively selected from 400 level students of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) and Benson Idahosa University (BIU), Benin City, Edo state. Data obtained ware duly analyzed and presented with aid of Frequency Tables, Simple Percentage. Findings show that for social media to successfully carry out the role of creating awareness about depression, the necessary measures that individuals through social media employs to educate audience on this issue should not be ignored, Social media has a tool for interaction should be effectively utilized. It is recommended that Social media should use its strategies and vary their efforts in information dissemination to enlighten and educate its audience on how depression affects students in universities, the government should also be tasked with providing the necessary resources for social media to carry out its role.