| Abstract: |
This study investigated how social media served as instrument for youth engagements and mobilisation during the 2020 #EndSARS protests in Nigeria. Descriptive survey research design was adopted. Structured questionnaire served as instrument for data collection. A total of 400 copies of the questionnaire were distributed to respondents drawn from three major cities where the protests took its roots (Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt). Cluster multi-stage and simple random sampling techniques were employed. The study was anchored on the Uses and Gratifications theory. Data generated were analysed using simple percentages and frequency tables. Findings show high level of Internet penetration among young people, particularly in the city centres across the country. There was significant relationship between online and offline participation in the protests. Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube were the most widely used social media platforms during the 2020 #EndSARS protests. The study however, recommends introduction of social media education at certain levels of our educational systems to engender more media literacy, particularly on the web, for a more responsible use of the new technology for the betterment of the human society. |
