Online Social Networks: A Survey of Usage and Risks Experience among University Students in North-Central Nigeria

Abstract

Online social networks (OSNs), since the advent of the first, have continued to influence virtually every facet of human existence, as well as appeal to users of different ages and races, including students. This study seeks to investigate the usage of online social networks and associated risks experienced among university students in North-Central, Nigeria. The study involves three tertiary institutions in North Central Nigeria. Data were collected via questionnaires. Most of the respondents were male, full-time undergraduate students, and within the ages of 24 – 29. Findings reveal that most of the students use OSNs to interact with friends. More than half of the students usually uploaded their locations while online, actually connected with other users they did not know, have extended relationships that commenced online to offline relationship, and used most of their time on the networks for academic purposes. Other uses included dating and offering financial assistance to acquaintances. For most of the students, the use of OSNs had positively affected their performance. Most of the students were found to have experienced risks including identity theft, unsolicited and irrelevant mess