THE ROLE OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN SENSITIZING STUDENTS ON MENTAL HEALTH, USING MASS COMMUNICATION UNDERGRADUATES AS STUDY

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the role of social media in sensitizing students on mental health, using mass communication undergraduates as study. A sample of 100 respondents was drawn from a population 874 full time undergraduate student in the Mass Communication department using Taro Yamane's Formula with a 0.1 sample error. The simple random sampling technique was used for the selection. The theoretical framework of Uses and Gratification and Media Dependency was used to highlight the reasons individuals (especially students) use the media, what they derive from and the level to which they depend on these media. Survey research method was used to provide an instrument in data gathering with the 16-items questionnaire containing demographic and psychographic data for the research. Tables and simple percentage were used in the presentation and analysis of data generated through the questionnaire. This study affirms the fact that Uniben mass communication students use social media to a very high extent. Furthermore, the study indicates that a huge populace of the students posits that there is need for increased focus on mental health related content on social media platforms. The result of this research is of the opinion that social media platforms and applications should come up with features and modifications as well as school management maximizing it in regards to students mental health. The impact of social media on students mental health cannot be overemphasized and should be handled with utmost care and attention.