Issues of Social Media Usage by Adolescents in their Socialisation Process
Cynthia Fofo Dsane
Department of Social Science, Mount Mary’s College of Education, Somanya, Ghana.
Lucy Effeh Attom
Department of Social Studies Education, University of Education, Winneba, Ghana.
Anthony Bordoh
Department of Social Studies Education, University of Education, Winneba, Ghana.
Isaac Eshun
*
Department of Social Studies Education, University of Education, Winneba, Ghana.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This study, employing a rigorous qualitative approach and case study design, investigated the common types of social media adolescents use in their socialisation process in Somanya in the Yilo Krobo Municipality in the Eastern Region of Ghana. The sample size was twenty adolescents selected through the convenience sampling technique. One-on-one interviews and focus group discussions were conducted to collect data. The significant findings from the study were that adolescents use social networking sites such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and Twitter. It recommends that parents socialise adolescents to conform to contemporary social interaction patterns to aid the proper use of social media. It was concluded that social media usage affects the socialisation of adolescent, thereby affecting their social behaviour.
Keywords: Adolescents, social media, social network sites, socialisation, social studies, technology