AN EXAMINATION OF THE INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON VIOLENT BEHAVIORS AMONG SCHOOL-AGE ADOLESCENTS IN SELECTED SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ILESA EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, OSUN STATE

CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background of the Study Over the past two decades, the rapid expansion of social media platforms has significantly altered the way individuals communicate, access information, and engage with the wider world. Among adolescents, the use of social media has become nearly universal, with research indicating that a substantial majority of teenagers engage with these platforms daily (Anderson & Jiang, 2018). Their interaction with social media includes accessing and sharing a broad range of content—spanning from educational resources to entertainment and social interactions. While these platforms offer numerous benefits, there is increasing scholarly concern regarding their potential to influence negative behaviors, particularly the promotion and normalization of violence among adolescents (Kowalski, Giumetti, Schroeder, & Lattanner, 2014). The link between media exposure and violent behavior has long been a subject of academic inquiry. Foundational studies on television and video games provided early insights into how media content can shape behavior. Albert Bandura's Social Learning Theory (1977) posits that individuals, especially children, acquire behaviors through observation and imitation. This framework has since been adapted to explore the influence of digital and social media on youth behavior (Steinberg, 2014). Popular platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Snapchat now play a central role in adolescent life, offering avenues for connection, self-expression, and creativity. However, they also expose young users to a wide array of unfiltered content, including violent images, videos, and discussions. The interactive design of these platforms—which allows users to like, comment on, and share content—further heightens their impact on behavioral tendencies (Valkenburg, Peter, & Walther, 2016). Empirical studies have revealed that a considerable percentage of adolescents are exposed to violent content through social media. A report by Common Sense Media (2019) noted that 37% of teenagers have witnessed cyberbullying, while 15% have experienced direct online harassment. Additionally, findings from the American Psychological Association indicate a strong association between exposure to violent digital content and increased aggressive behavior in adolescents (Coyne, Rogers, Zurcher, Stockdale, & Booth, 2019). The processes through which social media contributes to violent behavior are multifaceted. Continuous exposure to violent material can result in the normalization of aggressive actions, portraying them as acceptable or even rewarding (Bushman & Huesmann, 2014). Repeated exposure may also lead to emotional desensitization, reducing empathy and making individuals more likely to mimic violent conduct. Adolescents may particularly emulate such behaviors if they perceive them as being endorsed or validated by their online peers. Furthermore, the pressure to gain social acceptance or avoid rejection can influence teenagers to conform to violent behaviors they see celebrated on social media (Nesi, Choukas-Bradley, & Prinstein, 2018). The adolescent stage of development is a sensitive period characterized by heightened emotional reactivity, identity formation, and a strong desire for peer validation. As Steinberg (2014) suggests, this developmental phase makes young individuals especially susceptible to external influences, such as those encountered on social media. These platforms can, therefore, significantly shape adolescents' perceptions, values, and behaviors. In view of these concerns, this study seeks to examine the impact of social media use on violent behaviors among school-aged adolescents in selected secondary schools in Ilesa East Local Government Area of Osun State. 1.2 Statement of the Problem The rise of social media has deeply integrated adolescents into the virtual world, with many spending several hours daily interacting with peers both near and far (Unachukwu, Ebenebe, & Nwosu, 2019). A growing number of adolescents are becoming highly dependent on digital interactions, to the extent that their daily routines revolve around chatting via WhatsApp and Facebook, as well as watching videos and sharing content on platforms like Instagram and YouTube. The interconnected nature of social media brings individuals of diverse backgrounds and values into a common digital space, which can facilitate the exchange of both positive and negative content. This exposure to varied influences can sometimes lead adolescents to encounter harmful or violent materials that may shape their behavior and worldview. Adolescents, particularly those in secondary schools, are more vulnerable to the effects of such exposure due to the developmental transitions they undergo during this period. These include heightened emotional sensitivity and a stronger influence of peer norms (Valkenburg, Peter, & Walther, 2016). Prolonged exposure to violent content may lead to a desensitization to aggression, normalization of violent acts, and imitation of hostile behaviors observed online (Bushman & Huesmann, 2014). Given these growing concerns, this study seeks to critically investigate how social media influences violent behavior among school-age adolescents in selected secondary schools within Ilesa East Local Government Area of Osun State. 1.3 Objective of the study The broad objective of the study is to examine the Influence of Social Media on Violent Behaviors Among School-Age Adolescents in Selected Secondary Schools in Ilesa East Local Government Area, Osun State. The specific objectives is as following i.To examine the extent to which social media is used by school age adolescents in some selected secondary schools in Ilesa East Local Government Area of Osun State ii.To analyze the types of violent content most commonly encountered by adolescents on social media platforms iii.To evaluate the impact of social media on the perpetration of violent acts among school age adolescents in some selected secondary schools in Ilesa East Local Government Area of Osun State 1.4 Research questions The following questions have been prepared to guide the study i.What is the extent to which social media is used by school age adolescents in some selected secondary schools in Ilesa East Local Government Area of Osun State? ii.What are the types of violent content most commonly encountered by adolescents on social media platforms? iii.What is the impact of social media on the perpetration of violent acts among school age adolescents in some selected secondary schools in Ilesa East Local Government Area of Osun State? 1.5 Research hypotheses The stated hypotheses have been formulated to further guide the study H0: Social media does not have an impact on violent acts among school age adolescents in some selected secondary schools in Ilesa East Local Government Area of Osun State Ha: Social media does have an impact on violent acts among school age adolescents in some selected secondary schools in Ilesa East Local Government Area of Osun State 1.6 Significance of the study The result of this study will yield information that will bring a deeper understanding on how social media has influenced the violent behaviour among secondary school students. Education stakeholders, school administrators, parents, policy planners and teachers will use the research results and recommendations as learnt lessons to review their plans and activities in the quest to manage and formulate strategies to counter the negative impacts of social media use on violent behaviour among students in schools. In addition, the study will be significant to the academic community as it will contribute to the existing literature and add to library resources. 1.7 Scope of the study The study focus on the Influence of Social Media on Violent Behaviors Among School-Age Adolescents in Selected Secondary Schools in Ilesa East Local Government Area, Osun State. Empirically, the study will examine the extent to which social media is used by school age adolescents in some selected secondary schools in Ilesa East Local Government Area of Osun State, analyze the types of violent content most commonly encountered by adolescents on social media platforms and evaluate the impact of social media on the perpetration of violent acts among school age adolescents in some selected secondary schools in Ilesa East Local Government Area of Osun State Geographically, the study is delimited to some selected secondary schools in Ilesa East Local Government Area of Osun State 1.8 Limitation of the study Like in every human endeavour, the researchers encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. The significant constraints are: Time: The researcher encountered time constraint as the researcher had to carry out this research alongside other academic activities such as attending lectures and other educational activities required of her. Finance: The researcher incurred more financial expenses in carrying out this study such as typesetting, printing, sourcing for relevant materials, literature, or information and in the data collection process. Availability of Materials: The researcher encountered challenges in sourcing for literature in this study. The scarcity of literature on the subject due to the nature of the discourse was a limitation to this study 1.9 Definition of terms Social Media: Online platforms and applications that enable users to create, share, and interact with content and each other. Examples include Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Snapchat. Violent Content: Any material that depicts acts of physical aggression, harm, or threat of harm towards others. This can include videos, images, text, and audio shared on social media platforms. School-age Adolescents: Individuals typically aged between 12 and 18 years who are enrolled in middle or high school. Exposure: The act of encountering or coming into contact with specific content, in this context, violent content on social media. Violent Behavior: Actions that cause or intend to cause physical harm to others. This can include bullying, fighting, and other forms of aggression. Desensitization: The process by which repeated exposure to violent content reduces an individual's emotional response to violence, potentially making them more accepting of violent behavior. Psychosocial Factors: Elements that influence an individual's psychological development in, and interaction with, their social environment. This includes peer influence, family dynamics, and individual psychological traits. Peer Influence: The impact that an individual's peers have on their attitudes, behaviors, and decision-making processes.