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Social media is increasingly replacing face-to-face interactions to become the preferred
medium for interaction especially among the youth. Technology is thus altering the
manner in which people interact with each other; with potential negative consequences on
the development of communication and social skills. As online social networking
consistently and continuously attracts more and more users, problems are also generated
in equal measure. Studies have shown that excessive use of social network sites not only
has a long-lasting effect on the psyche of students but also affects the physical, mental
and social aspects of their lives. Drawing from the Social Penetration Theory and Uses
and Gratifications Theory, this study aimed at understanding how mediated
communication through Facebook is altering the nature of social interactions among
university students and how this has influenced the formation of social relationships.
Specifically, the study sought to answer the following questions: How has Facebook
shaped interaction among university students in universities? How does Facebook
mediated communication enhance/undermine social interactions among university
students in universities? What affordances do university students in universities perceive
in their use of Facebook as an interaction platform? The study utilized a qualitative
approach to generate and analyze data. Twenty-two in-depth interviews and two focus
group discussions were conducted among university students purposively picked from
seven universities in Uasin Gishu County. The universities were conveniently selected.
The interviews and focus group discussions were recorded, transcribed and analyzed
thematically. The findings suggest that there is rapid use and expansion of social
networking sites for interaction purposes among university students. Overreliance on
Facebook-mediated interactions negatively alters the nature of social interactions among
youths; consequently, affecting the formation of social relationships. Online interactions
distract users from engaging in face-to-face interactions, weaken social bonds and cause
conflicts among users and non-users. Nonetheless, interactions through Facebook have
contributed to developing and enhancing social relationships in geographically dispersed
locations. The study concludes that while Facebook-mediated interactions have
contributed in the fusion of time and space, hence strengthening communication among
individuals in geographically dispersed locations, it is equally undermining the
development of social relationships and weakening social bonds among the youth. The
study recommends a reconceptualization of the understanding of interactions and
relationship formation in the light of contemporary trends in social network sites.
Institutions and families should be sensitized on the need to engage young people with a
view of enhancing the importance of face-to-face communication which cannot be
replaced by online mediated interactions. |
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