The Role of Social Media and the Rise of Behavioural Tendencies among Youths in Tertiary Institutions: Implications for Counselling

Abstract

History was made in 2003 with the emergence of technological creation where assorted phones and communication devices penetrated most homes into the hands of students. These days, the most commonly utilized method of communication is social media networking. It is being used by individuals belonging to every walk of life. The main purpose of social media is to link the users to relevant and available information through which everyday happenings, pictures, recordings and weblinks are shared among users. Also social media networking has changed the way students learn. With social media network students have access to different learning materials to help improve their academic programmes. However, a number of negative behavioural tendencies do exist among youths in tertiary institutions by the use of some social media platforms. This paper will therefore, look at how social media contribute to the negative behavioural tendencies among youths in tertiary institutions and the way out. Thus, among the recommendations given include; posting counsellors online with a web address to reach all users, censoring of postings by users and applying punitive measures to defaulters. This paper would be of great help in sanitizing the use of social media by youths in tertiary institutions. Thus, among the recommendations given include; posting counsellors online with a web address to reach all users, censoring of posting by users and applying punitive measures to defaulters. This paper would be of great help in sanitizing the use of social media by youths in tertiary institutions.