USES AND GRATIFICATIONS OF SOCIAL MEDIA AMONG MASS COMMUNICATION STUDENTS OF AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY ZARIA AND UNIVERSITY OF JOS

USES AND GRATIFICATIONS OF SOCIAL MEDIA AMONG MASS COMMUNICATION STUDENTS OF AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY ZARIA AND UNIVERSITY OF JOS

Abstract:

This study investigates the uses and gratifications of social media among mass communication students of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria and University of Jos, with the following six objectives To find out social media engagement by students in the two universities, to ascertain the preference of social networking sites among students,to determine the amount of time spent on Social Networking Sites (SNS), to ascertain the gratification derived from use of Social Network sites. To reveal the differences and similarities between students of the two universities in the uses and gratifications obtained from Social Media and to reveal the differences and similarities between the male and female students in the uses and gratifications obtained from Social Media. Survey method was used with questionnaire as the instrument for gather data collection. Drawing it sample size from the Mass Communication Departments of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and University of Jos, the study used purposive sampling method to choose two universities in the study area and stratified sampling method was employed to select 307 respondents from the two universities. The researcher used the rank weighted mean to reveal the similarities and differences in the uses and gratification students in both universities derive from social media interactions. The analysis revealed that for students of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, 5 reasons form their major uses of social media, while students of University of Jos had only 3 reasons as their major uses of social media. These uses include ―keeping in touch with family and friends, getting news, and reconnecting with old friends and to be informed.‖ For students of A.B.U Zaria, convenience is a major gratification obtained from the use of social media, but for the students of University of Jos, affiliation is their major gratification obtained. Students of both universities agree to get gratifications in form of information seeking, pass-time, entertainment and relieve of stress. The study also revealed that WhatsApp is the most preferred social media among the respondents. Meanwhile students in both universities did not use social media majorly for academic purposes. The study therefore, recommends among others, that students should investigate how they can incorporate social media to aid their academic pursuit as a way of striking a balance with social aspects of social media usage. Also, institutions of higher learning should find a way of developing social media curriculum as a course that will help students derive more benefits from the usage of social media.

USES AND GRATIFICATIONS OF SOCIAL MEDIA AMONG MASS COMMUNICATION STUDENTS OF AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY ZARIA AND UNIVERSITY OF JOS