ABSTRACT
This research work investigated students perception on the influence of social media on the development of Human Kinetics and Sports Science in the University of Benin, Benin City. To achieve this, the research was guided by three (3) research questions. The population of the study consisted of 300 students in the department of Human Kinetics and sports science in the University of Benin. The convenient random sampling technique was used to select all the respondents to represent the study. Additionally, a structured questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents. The instrument was validated by the researcher's supervisor and two other experts in the Department of Human Kinetics and Sports Science. The Cronbach Alpha coefficient statistics was used to establish the reliability of the instrument, and 0.901 was obtained. The data elicited from the sampled respondents was analyzed using frequency, mean, and standard deviation. The study showed that social media help in development of human kinetics, plays a role in choice of sports activities, influences knowledge of sports science, as well as motivation for physical activity, some of the benefits of social media for the field of human kinetics included sharing research findings and new development, accessing human kinetics information, facilitating networking opportunities, dissemination of practical applications, and increasing awareness and interest in human kinetics. It also showed that the lack of technical-scientific credibility on social media posts about exercise and health has mislead students in human kinetics. The low quality information dissemination on social media affects also HKS students understanding. It also showed that social media distorted HKS related information, social media contributed to the misinformation about HKS, and HKS students faced challenges navigating the limited quantity of information on social media. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that students should be encouraged to take full advantage of the research, information on HKS found in the social media space. Research findings and new development in the social media space should be harnessed by instructors, coaches, experts to help improve the traditional teaching methods. Also Students, coaches, experts should take advantage of the social media VIII space to facilitate networking opportunities with HKS and the sport science community. Vast and sufficient research findings and information in the field of HKS should be made available online and on all social media platforms for easy access by students, coaches, scholars and the general public.
