Exploring Social Media as a Net Positive or Negative Influence on Nigerian Youth Culture and Identity
Nnawuihe Onyedikachi Damaris1; Ejiogu Cynthia Ihuoma2; Anyika Josephine Chikodi3; ; Udoka Prince Nwokoma4 ;Nwokeoma Chinaka Chinaka5
1,2,3,4&5Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria
Abstract: This study is aimed at exploring social media as a net positive or negative influence on Nigerian Youth Culture and Identity. The widespread adoption of social media has raised concerns about its impact on Nigerian youth culture and identity. This study explored the opinions of Nigerian youth on whether social media is a net positive or negative influence on their culture and identity. The purpose of this study is to understand the perceptions of Nigerian youth on the role of social media in shaping their cultural values, identity, and social behavior. The study discussed vital issues such as the potential benefits of social media (e.g., connectivity, access to information, and self-expression) and its potential drawbacks (e.g., cultural homogenization, cyberbullying, and erosion of traditional values). The researchers employed analytical method to decipher the issues raised in this work. The findings suggested that while social media has some benefits, such as connecting Nigerian youth with global trends and ideas, it also has significant negative influences, including the erosion of traditional cultural values and the promotion of unrealistic expectations and consumerism. Based on the findings, the researchers recommended that Nigerian youth, parents, and educators should take a more proactive role in promoting responsible social media use and preserving traditional cultural values.
Conclusion: The exploration of social media as a net positive or negative influence on Nigerian youth’s cultural values and identity reveals a complex and multifaceted issue. As examined under the sub-heading “Exploring Social Media as a Net Positive or Negative Influence on Nigerian Youth’s Culture and Identity”, social media has both empowered Nigerian youth to express themselves and showcase their talents, while also exposing them to unrealistic beauty standards, consumerism, and materialism.
The potential benefits of social media to Nigerian youth, as discussed earlier, are numerous. Social media has provided access to educational resources, online courses, and learning opportunities that can enhance their skills and knowledge. Additionally, social media has enabled Nigerian youth to connect with experts and professionals in their desired fields, seeking guidance and mentorship. However, as noted in the sub-heading “Potential Benefits of Social Media to Nigerian Youth”, these benefits are not without challenges, and Nigerian youth must navigate the complexities of social media to maximize its benefits.
Keywords: social media, Nigerian youth, culture, identity, influence.
Exploring-Social-Media-as-a-Net-Positive-or-Negative-Influence-on-Nigerian-Youth-Culture-and-Identity
Phones and social media have completely reshaped the mindset of many young people, and not always for the better. The constant stream of negative, reckless, or misleading content from some creators has made a lot of youths believe that chaos is “cool” and that bad behavior is entertainment.
What hurts the most is how this mindset spills into real life. Instead of learning skills, building character, or supporting real businesses, many now chase trends that disappear in a week. And when negativity becomes the standard online, it affects how people think, act, and even how they treat those trying to build something genuine.
I’ve felt the impact personally — this shift in mentality has damaged my business. Not because my work wasn’t good, but because the attention of the youth has been captured by content that adds no value. It’s painful to watch how something as powerful as technology is being used in ways that destroy focus, discipline, and ambition.
We need to start talking about this honestly. Social media should be a tool for growth, not a trap that destroys potential in Nigeria. Thank you
Due to the influence of social media, many so‑called native doctors have used these platforms to push a dangerous movement around money rituals. It has contributed to the rise in crime across the South East. Information is no longer regulated, and because content creators are paid, many Nigerians will post anything just to make money. For the well‑being of our children, we need a different system that protects their minds and their future.
Everyone wants to do Diabia in the name of handwork. Everyone want so be like Eke Hit and Man pass man or Awka Tiwara Aki. Please most especially facebook need to limit the access the give lot of people. It has cause lot of problems. I love our tradition but not for money ritual particise.
We have Native doctors for different purpose and we still value to have them. People of Anambra believe in hardwork and creativity. This is not our way of life. We already have bad name because of our traditional particise, it is our heritgage and we will not leave it. This young men has used it to make lot of money and left our children abused because of the use of Phone and social media. Yagaize
I know of a man in Ubomiri who killed his neigbors child for money ritual and we don’t know who must have manipluated him to kill the innocent child. This has cause lot of truama in the life of the family of the decease. Social media has caused lot of harm, people take content serious on what the see on social media, Smart phones has caused lot of harm in our soceity. I am reporting from Ubomiri In Imo state
This page Take me to the moon and black does a good job to promote our Igbo Hertiage. Ref link below https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1DAMMUwgnJ/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Our children can easily find documentary about our heritage not come let us do money ritual for you. It became common because the know every young man or boy wants to live like David and wizkid
In Imo State, the influence of social media has become a serious concern. Recent welfare records show a rising number of family disputes linked to what young people consume online. Many young ladies now use TikTok and Instagram for activities that promote prostitution, and it is affecting the moral foundation of our communities.
As a civil servant, I see firsthand how many families come to welfare offices with cases filled with drama, broken trust, and confusion. This is the direct effect of the mediocrity and misleading lifestyle promoted on social media and smartphones. Our children are going astray, marriages are collapsing, and society is paying the price.
We urgently need a better system to protect the well‑being of our children and restore discipline in our homes. Thanks to WAJIAR for giving parent’s voice to speak up
According to Nkemjika Nwosu, the situation in Imo State is not isolated. We are now seeing even worse cases in Lagos, where the influence of social media has pushed many young people into harmful trends and destructive behavior. The truth is that the Federal Government needs to invest properly in a strong national reporting and monitoring system to curb some of the unreasonable actions happening across the country.
Imagine a country where terrorists freely promote themselves online without consequences. In the United States, such content would never be allowed to circulate because lives are at stake. Here, the lack of regulation has created insecurity, misinformation, and fear. Social media has caused serious harm, and it is not only the northern regions that are affected — the damage is nationwide.
We need a system that protects our citizens, especially the younger generation, from dangerous content and unchecked influence.
WAJIAR should allow open and fair access for all researchers to publish their papers. We have reports coming from institutions across the country, and our team has already submitted multiple manuscripts through the proper channels. It is important that the journal management treats every submission with transparency and respect.
We are calling on the editorial leadership to review and publish the papers we have sent, without bias or unnecessary delay. Nigeria needs academic integrity now more than ever, especially during sensitive political periods.
When you say “I might die”, that tells me how overwhelmed and heartbroken you feel. You’re not saying you want to harm yourself — you’re expressing the level of emotional pain you’re carrying. And that pain is real.
When a child starts following people online who don’t reflect the values she was raised with, it can feel like you’re losing her to a world you don’t recognize. That kind of disgrace hits a parent deeply, especially someone who has lived a disciplined, decent life like you described.
Many parents in Lagos are facing painful challenges because of the influence of social media and negative peer groups. My own children have been affected — my daughter follows online personalities who do not reflect the values she was raised with, and my son joined a cult in his first year at Abia State University. As a pastor who has lived a decent and disciplined life, it breaks my heart to see how easily our children can be pulled away by the wrong influences.
We need stronger guidance, better community support, and a safer environment for our youth. The future of our families depends on it.
My son took one Pablo boy’s life seriously here in Asaba and my son don’t want to go to school or learn a skill. He wants to be a Pablo who uses phone to make videos. Please help me, i am going crazy this is not what my family is known for. I am worried
My home crashed because my husband was listen to content on facebook about relationship tips. Instead of those ladies to promote postive information in the society. The keep posting 80-90% of things women do that are true and most times can be a lie, there are times you don’t know when things are going wrong in your home. There might be a change in attitude after having my first child. I became rude to my husband and i thought he got use to me, i noticed he was listen to those women, i packed my bags and took my kids away because i was going through emotional pains when i see him listen to those things. I was wrong and i did him wrong
Take a look at what an adult is posting on the media. Please 🙏 I hope the approval the link to this Facebook real. It is annoying. Most people who are not mentally stable can copy the information on the comments section and put it into practice. Please reference link below : https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1Acx3CCrEi/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Imagine what this young lady is promoting to our young men to suck there vagina. Search her page on Facebook and I will share the link of the post below. Page name: chi impress .
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1beJKZZp4i/?mibextid=wwXIfr
If that girl has a virus in There, that young man is automatically infected and it’s not good in our culture
Take a look at what Amaka Nwa Tv is promoting. She categorically stated that women from 40 to 50 years, young man should make love to them. The link is below
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/14bEtUVFX9t/?mibextid=wwXIfr
What is she promoting? It is the decision of those young men who wants to go astray to consider to do it with them. Why are they manipulating our young men
Bros I go help you with links of all this stupid women. Make people the see the content creators wey dey spoil there pikin.
No.1: Nelo Nwa
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1C5cwP5MWV/?mibextid=wwXIfr
No2 Na this boy: unface TVs
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1FmKgxegcN/?mibextid=wwXIfr
He is promoting prostitution and how much should be paid for small time sex service charge
No 3: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/18QtdYJWaz/?mibextid=wwXIfr
This one is posting voice record of a man and someone else husband making love
No4 https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1F5yyuB3Xv/?mibextid=wwXIfr
How can someone come on social media and openly telling people she wants to have sex and other women follow same trend. Just for view and likes
No5 : https://www.facebook.com/share/r/18CVi4hnNJ/?mibextid=wwXIfr
This one is discussing part of the pussy where them go tocuh wey go sweet them. Can you imagine
No6: this lady is advising men to make love to married women… this is not good, it is by choice. What this young men are seeing over the internet the put it to work.
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1C8YDoycKd/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Which kin country be this self