UNICROSS STUDENTS PERCEPTION OF NUDITY ON SNAP CHAT

ABSTRACT This research assessed UNICROSS students‟ perception of nudityon social media, with a major focus on Snapchat as the chosen social media platform for the study. The primary objectives of the study were to determine the rate at which UNICROSS students use Snapchat, examine the perception of UNICROSS students towards nude contents on Snapchat, and assess the extent of exposureto nude content amongUNICROSS students on Snapchat.Thestudyincluded a review of recent compatible literatures and utilised a theoretical framework rooted in Technological DeterminismTheory.Aquantitativeresearchdesignandadescriptivesurveywereadoptedasthe research design and methodology for the study. A sample of 210 respondents was selected froma population of 21,200 students in UNICROSS, Calabar using the purposive and convenience sampling techniques. The data for the study was collated through a structured questionnaire containing 12 items, and the data collated for the study was analysed using simple percentages and frequencytables. The findings drawn from the studyshowed thatUNICROSSstudentsoften use Snapchat as a primary platform for communication and content sharing, engaging with it regularly on a daily basis, and nudity on Snapchat is viewed as common and generallyacceptable by UNICROSS students, but many students feel uncomfortable viewing such contents. Further findings from the study showed that there is a concerning high level of exposureto nudecontent among UNICROSS students on Snapchat, demonstrated bytheir active pursuit of such materials, which reflects the widespread presence of nudity in their Snapchat experiences. The study recommended that universities should introduce implement digital literacy programmes to educate students on responsible social media use, focusing on the implications of sharing and consuming nude content, and as well promote open dialogues and establish safe spaces for discussions about sexuality and digital content, allowing students to express their feelings and concerns about nudity on social platforms so as to beguided properly. The study further recommended that universities should increase access to counselling and mental health resources for students struggling with discomfort related to nudity on Snapchat, promoting healthier and morally safe campus environments for academic pursuits.