THE EFFECT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON MARITAL STABILITY IN MAKURDI METROPOLIS

Abstract This study investigates the impact of social media on marital stability in Makurdi Metropolis, Nigeria, with a focus on understanding how its pervasive use influences trust, communication, emotional closeness, marital satisfaction, and the neglect of responsibilities among married couples. Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp have become integral to daily life of spouse in Makurdi, offering opportunities for connection but also introducing challenges that strain marital relationships. The research adopts a cross-sectional survey design, utilizing questionnaires to collect data from 400 respondents representing the diverse demographic makeup of Makurdi's population. Findings reveal that social media significantly affects marital stability, with 89.8% of respondents acknowledging its impact. Instagram (18.8%) and Facebook (16.3%) were identified as the platforms most associated with marital instability. Key effects include jealousy due to online interactions (29.0%), emotional and physical distance caused by excessive use (14.5%), and conflicts stemming from social media influence (7.0%). While 92.8% of respondents viewed social media's overall impact as favorable, results demonstrate that improper use can lead to mistrust, reduced quality time, and unrealistic relationship expectations. The study concludes that while social media can exacerbate tension in relationships through misuse or overuse, it also offers avenues for enhancing communication and fostering awareness about marital issues. The study thus recommends among others the promotion of digital literacy programs, encouraging open communication between spouses, and developing community-based interventions to support marital stability.