THE INFLUENCE OF NEW MEDIA ON SOCIAL LIFE OF NIGERIAN YOUTH

The research titled “The Influence of New Media on the Social Life of Nigerian Youth” examines how digital platforms like social networking sites, blogs, and instant messaging applications have altered the social interactions, behaviour, and lifestyle of young individuals in Nigeria. Grounded in the Uses and Gratification Theory and the Social Learning Theory, this study employed a descriptive survey design to gather data from a sample of Nigerian youths through a structured questionnaire. The study investigated trends in media consumption, awareness levels, and the perceived social consequences of engaging with new media among the participants. The findings indicated that a majority of respondents engage with new media platforms on a daily basis, primarily for purposes such as communication, entertainment, self-expression, and information sharing. The findings indicated that although these platforms improve connectivity, learning, and civic engagement, they also present challenges including addiction, misinformation, diminished face-to-face communication, and exposure to harmful content. The analysis revealed that new media plays a crucial role in influencing the socialisation process, peer relationships, and overall lifestyle of Nigerian youths, shaping their worldview and value orientation in both positive and negative ways. The study came to the conclusion that new media's influence on young people's social lives is unavoidable and pervasive in contemporary culture. It suggested enhancing institutional and parental supervision, fostering responsible media consumption, and advancing digital literacy. Nigerian youths can maximise the benefits of digital media while reducing its negative effects on their moral and social development by cultivating critical awareness. Keywords: New Media, Social Life, Nigerian Youth, Digital Interaction, Communication.