DIGITAL REVOLUTION AND YOUTH EMPOWERMENT IN NIGERIA: IS SOCIAL MEDIA A BOON OR A BANE FOR ANAMBRA YOUTHS

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between social media on youth empowerment in Anambra State, Nigeria using Anaocha local government youth. The study by the objectives were to examine the influence of social media on youth empowerment; identify the positive effect of social media on the achievements of youth and determine the negative effect of social media on the achievement of youth in Anaocha local government area. The study adopted a survey approach and purposive sampling technique for sample selection. Questionnaire were the research instrument used for the data collection. A sample size of one hundred and twenty (120) respondents were drawn for the study. However total number of ninety-eight were used for the analysis after retrieving the questionnaire. The instrument was validated by content validity and test- re-test reliability. Frequency counts, percentage and Mean scores were used to answer the research questions while Pearson product correlation coefficient were used for hypotheses. Ethical considerations in the entire research process were observed. Key findings showed that social media has significant impact on youth empowerment in Anaocha local government area with r= 0.872, n= 98 and p value of 0.41(p<0.05). The study recommended that public awareness initiative should be established to educate and inform youth about effective social media usage and its benefits; the government should make internet access affordable enabling entrepreneur to advertise and deliver their product or services online from their homes and Strategies must be implemented to strike a balance between control and participation while minimizing negative outcome.