SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS USE AND INFORMATION DISSEMINATION BY UNDERGRADUATE

ABSTRACT

This study examines the social media platform use and information dissemination by undergraduate. The primary data were collected from 77,000 Undergraduate students of University of Benin from 100L-500L students. 200 respondents were selected using Simple Random Sampling technique, 180 questionnaire was returned , Four research questions were raised to guide the study. The instrument was validated by 3 experts from the Department of Educational Management, Faculty of Education. The data collected was organized into frequency tables and they were analyzed using mean statistics and standard deviation. The findings from this study shed light on the Concepts of Social Media, Information Dissemination by Undergraduates, Use of social media platform by Undergraduates, Use of social media platforms and information dissemination This Study recommended that the University of Benin should develop and implement educational programs and workshops to enhance digital literacy and critical thinking skills among undergraduates. These programs should focus on teaching students how to evaluate the credibility of online information sources, identify misinformation and fake news, and use social media platforms responsibly for information dissemination. The university should establish clear guidelines and policies regarding the appropriate use of social media platforms for academic purposes. These guidelines should address issues such as copyright, privacy, and ethical considerations when sharing or disseminating information online. Lecturers and instructors should incorporate the use of social media platforms into their teaching methodologies, encouraging students to engage in online discussions, collaborate on projects, and share relevant academic resources through these platforms. By implementing these recommendations, the University of Benin can harness the potential of social media platforms for enhancing information dissemination and fostering a more engaged and digitally literate student community.