Challenges and Prospects of Social Media: Upholding Social Values and Realizing Social Stability in Nigerian Society

Abstract

Social changes are influenced by diverse multifaceted factors which are often triggered by human or environmental factors such as globalization, climate change, governmental systems, evolving socio-cultural/religious beliefs, and the growing tide of Information Communication technology (ICT). Change is an inevitable reality of the human society. Whatever form and shade these changes bring, it is a general expectation that these changes do not erode the very traits and values that define a people and society. This study through discourse analysis examined the role of the social media in upholding social values for social stability in the Nigerian Society. The study findings revealed that as much as the social media is a very reliable tool to uphold the social values of the society for social stability and education, this has come with an ultimate price tag on the core values of the Nigerian society. The menace of social media usage on Nigerian social values include decline in the Nigerian family values, increase in cybercrimes, increase in indecent dressing, sexual harassment, and sexual promiscuity among Nigerian youths. Social media has continued to pose a real threat to the preservation of Nigerian culture, and by extension, family values, especially with the widespread of depraved values and never-ending corruption of the identity of the Nigerian parent. The culture of individualism which is often promoted by the social media in the name of be yourself and express yourself is fast eroding the values and ideals of the extended family system which Nigerians are known for. The study findings revealed that if the growth and development of social media continues as it is today, it could lead to decline of faceto-face human contact skills and interpersonal relationships. Based on the findings, the study recommended the need for Nigerian parents to monitor their children’s activities on social media platforms and uphold the social values that define Nigerians as a people and the government should play the lead way in this campaign.