Implications of Social Media Usage on National Security in North- Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

The significance of national security to the holistic development of a nation makes the subject matter a ubiquitous issue of concem among scholars, stakeholders, security agencies, government at all levels, media practitioners etc. It is against this backdrop that this paper examines social media usage and its implication on national security in North Eastern Nigeria. In order to explore this issue, both theoretical and empirical perspectives were employed. The paper was anchored on the Uses and Gratification theory and Mediamorphosis theory. The study was based on quantitative research approach and the strategy of inquiry was survey design. This automatically makes questionnaire an instrument for data collection. The instrument was distributed to social media users. Based on the data retrieved and the analysis made, findings reveal that the current state of security in North Easter Nigeria is abysmal. Furthermore, the study revealed that propaganda and dissemination of fake news and hate speech were the core areas which social media platforms facilitate insecurity in North Eastern Nigeria. This makes the study to conclude that there is a nexus between social media usage and insecurity in North Eastern Nigeria. Therefore, the study recommends that social media users should stop spreading fake news and inflammatory messages that may result in violence. Furthermore, government should collaborate with security agencies to monitor social media accounts so as to counter propaganda, hate speech and other hazardous contents.