Influence Of Social Media Platforms on Social Capital Among Youths in Urban Areas of Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook have become integral to modern communication, especially among young people. However, while social media platforms provide opportunities for building social capital, they also pose challenges such as weaker offline relationships, diminishing trust and face-to-face interactions. Understanding these platforms' roles in shaping social interactions, civic participation, and trust is crucial to addressing broader social and economic implications. This study aims to explore these relationships, providing insights into the role of social media in the development and sustainability of social capital within this demographic.
Method: A descriptive cross-sectional research design was utilized for this study. The population of this study consisted of youth aged 15 to 35 years residing in urban areas in Nigeria such as Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Kano. The sample size was determined based on statistical power analysis to ensure that the results are statistically significant and generalizable. Respondents were selected using stratified and convenience sampling techniques. Data was collected using semi-structured questionnaire. The questionnaires was administered both online and in-person. Data was analysed using IBM SPSS Version 27. Descriptive statistics was used to summarize and describe the basic features of the dataset. T-tests and ANOVA were used to compare means and assess whether observed differences in social capital metrics are statistically significant. Regression analysis was employed to examine the relationships between social media usage and various dimensions of social capital.
Results: Respondents consistently regard social media as a positive tool for sustaining connections. The findings also suggest that while social media use among urban Nigerian youth offers some level of engagement and connectivity, it does not consistently foster the levels of trust and support necessary for robust civic participation. The Chi-Square statistic for this test is 29.72 with a p-value of 0.0000455. Thus, indicating a statistically significant difference in how Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook influence social interactions and relationships.
Conclusion: A key conclusion drawn from this study is the instrumental role social media plays in fostering bonding social capital, the development of close, trust-based relationships within tight-knit communities.

Social media, facebook, tiktok

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