THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA USAGE ON YOUTHS’ INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS: A CASE STUDY OF CRAWFORD UNIVERSITY

1.1 Background of the Study As society evolves, social media has increasingly become an integral part of everyday life, significantly influencing individuals’ sense of well-being, trust in others, and emotional states (Clement, 2019). The rapid expansion of social media has created a new form of social interaction. Traditional modes of communication such as face-to-face conversations, handwritten letters, and physical engagements have largely been replaced by digital interactions. The integration of social media into daily life has been accelerated by advances in electronic technologies and communication platforms, enabling people to form and maintain relationships across both short and long distances. Interpersonal relationships—defined as connections between two or more individuals that may persist over time—have been reshaped by these digital tools. In the 21st century, social media has become a central component of contemporary life, especially among young people, and has been identified as a major driver of internet use (Niazi, 2015). Day by day, individuals become more dependent on social media. These platforms allow users to engage with others across geographical boundaries, thereby fostering global communication. Social networks now play a crucial role in the creation, maintenance, and restoration of personal relationships, as well as in enhancing the learning abilities of young individuals (Alajmi, Alharbi & Ghuloum, 2016). Adults often spend a significant amount of time on social media to share common interests, post images, and stay connected. Adolescents, in particular, use technology to build friendships, maintain peer networks, offer mutual support, and shape their identities. Social media usage is especially prevalent among youths and teenagers, exerting profound effects on various aspects of their lives (Abbasi & Alghamdi, 2017). The nature of social interaction among youths has drastically changed with the advent of the internet and the growth of social networking communities. Numerous platforms—such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, LinkedIn, Google+, and Snapchat—are used for socializing and connecting with others (Alajmi, Alharbi & Ghuloum, 2016). These tools allow individuals to share personal updates, opinions, photos, videos, and web links. Social networking has made it easier than ever to disseminate useful information quickly, making it the fastest-growing medium of communication. Its influence is felt across various sectors, particularly within educational environments. The availability of internet services and the simplicity of using social media platforms have turned these tools into valuable assets for students, enhancing access to educational content via search engines like Google. These platforms now serve as a significant part of students’ academic lives, enabling them to exchange ideas and information with their peers (Beyens, Frison & Eggermont, 2016). However, excessive social media use can disrupt emotional bonds and physical presence within families. It is widely acknowledged that social media has become a powerful influence on how people communicate in their everyday lives. When individuals spend more time on their screens than engaging with loved ones physically present, it can hinder meaningful interpersonal interactions and reduce sensitivity to non-verbal communication cues (Chotpitayasunondh & Douglas, 2016). While the primary intent of social media is to strengthen human connections across borders and time zones, overdependence can pose risks. Although various studies have explored this topic globally, limited research has specifically addressed this phenomenon within Ogun State. Hence, this study focuses on youths at Crawford University to examine how social media impacts their interpersonal relationships. 1.2 Statement of the Problem Social media refers to a group of online platforms founded on the principles of web 2.0 that enable users to generate, share, and modify content. Elhai, Levine, Dvorak, and Hall (2016) describe social media as a collective term encompassing technologies that support the creation and exchange of content, networking, and relationship building. In his 2018 study, Gan identified three central components of social media: (1) the technological tools and infrastructure for producing and sharing content, (2) the content itself—comprising ideas, opinions, messages, and news, and (3) the users—individuals, organizations, and industries that engage with the content. Social media has become a crucial means by which individuals interact with society and build interpersonal relationships (Nicole & Boyd, 2017). These platforms facilitate global social interaction and help shape behaviors by enabling direct user engagement (Muinde, 2015; Rajeev & Jobilal, 2015). Interpersonal communication does not occur randomly but is a deliberate process through which people negotiate social roles and expectations. These roles—such as speaker and listener—are either consciously or unconsciously agreed upon and play a pivotal role in effective communication, whether spoken or written. Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are especially popular among young people, providing both positive and negative effects that influence their personal development and relationships within and outside their families (Haruna & Danladi, 2017). These digital habits often lead to behaviors like social withdrawal, secrecy, distrust toward authority, and even aggression. In some cases, they expose youths to cyberbullying. Increased time spent in virtual conversations may reduce in-person interactions and increase dependency on digital communication. This overreliance on social media can also lead to physical, emotional, and psychological health issues. Given the high concentration of students within Ogun State and the recognized link between social media and interpersonal relationships among youths, this research seeks to explore the impact of social media on the interpersonal relationships of students at Crawford University 1.3 Objectives of the study The broad objective of the study is to examine the Influence of Social Media on the Interpersonal Relationships of Youths: A Case Study of Crawford University. The specific objectives is as follows i. Determine the level of social media usage among youth in Crawford University ii. Determine the social media platforms predominantly utilized by youths in Crawford University. iii. To examine how social media platforms shape the interpersonal relationship styles of youths in Crawford University. iv. To examine the role of social media platforms in fostering both positive and negative aspects of relationship-building among youths in Crawford University 1.4 Research questions The following questions have been prepared to further guide the study i. Determine the level of social media usage among youth in Crawford University ii. What is the social media platforms predominantly utilized by youths in Crawford University? iii. How does social media platforms shape the interpersonal relationship styles of youths in Crawford University? iv. What is the role of social media platforms in fostering both positive and negative aspects of relationship-building among youths in Crawford University? 1.5 Significance of the study The findings of the study will be relevant because they will inform parents, teachers, students and all the relevant stake holders on the impact of social media on the interpersonal relations among youths. Parents: Parents will get assistance in comprehending their children's motives for using social networking platforms and being cognizant of the potential impact from these platforms that may influence their children. If parents possess sufficient information, they may devise potential preventative measures if their kid is inclined to have a poor interpersonal contact with others due to excessive use and reliance on social networking sites. Teachers: It would also aid their professors by giving some techniques in order for them to connect with student‘s social activities particularly with respect of utilising social networking sites. Teachers, acting as surrogate parents to students, has the ability to assist pupils in resolving any issues that may arise in their interpersonal relationships. Students: The outcome of this research will raise the awareness of the students, namely teens, about the impact of social networking sites (SNSs) on their interpersonal relationships. Academia: The findings of the study will be significant to the academic community as it will contribute to the existing literature on the subject matter. 1.6 Scope of the study The study focuses on the impact of social media on the interpersonal relationship of youths. Empirically, the study determine the level of social media usage among youth in Crawford University, determine the social media platforms predominantly utilized by youths in Crawford University, examine how social media platforms shape the interpersonal relationship styles of youths in Crawford University and examine the role of social media platforms in fostering both positive and negative aspects of relationship-building among youths in Crawford University. Geographically, the study is delimited to Crawford University Igbesa, Ogun State, Nigeria. 1.7 Limitations of the study As with many other research endeavors, this study encountered several challenges. One of the primary difficulties was the lack of readily available and accurate materials relevant to the topic under investigation, as well as the inability to obtain sufficient data. The researcher also faced financial limitations, which created obstacles in sourcing appropriate materials and in carrying out the printing and compilation of questionnaires. In addition, time constraints posed another significant challenge. The need to balance the demands of writing the research with other academic responsibilities made the research process particularly strenuous and demanding for the researcher. 1.8 Operational definition of terms Social media: a collective term for websites and applications that focus on communication, community-based input, interaction, content-sharing and collaboration Interpersonal relationship: a social association, connection, or affiliation between two or more persons.