Gender difference in the use of social networking sites among adolescents in Oriade L.C.D.A of Lagos State

Abstract

The study examined gender difference in the use of social networking sites among dolescents in Oriade L.C.D.A of Lagos State.  Descriptive survey design was employed in carrying out the study. Two research questions and four hypotheses were raised to guide the  study. 260 adolescents from three faith-based organizations in the L.C.D.A. formed the sample for the study. A 30-item questionnaire  titled social network site use Questionnaire for adolescents (SNSUQA) was designed for the study. The instrument was validated by three  experts in measurement for face and content validity. Their suggestions helped in the modification of the items in the instrument to suit  the study. Simple percentage and the chi-square (χ2 ) technique were used in analyzing the data collected. The findings of the study  revealed that Nigeria adolescents are moderate users of social networking sites. It was found out that majority of the adolescents visit  the social network sites for between one and three hours every day and that there are different positive activities they carry out on social  network sites. It was also found out that adolescent boys visit social networking sites more that adolescents’ girls. The study also  revealed that adolescent boys do not engage in positive activities on the social networking sites more than the girls. Again, it was found  that social networking site use has a significant influence on adolescent boys’ time management than the girls. Based on the findings, it  was recommended that adolescent counselors should be employed in all institutions in Nigeria to help assist adolescents in learning how  to manage their time well