PERCEIVED INFLUENCE OF SEXUAL CONTENT ON SOCIAL MEDIA ON MORAL DEVELOPMENT OF UNILORIN UNDERGRADUATES.docx

A PRESENTION ON THE PERCEIVED INFLUENCE OF SEXUAL CONTENT ON SOCIAL MEDIA ON MORAL DEVELOPMENT OF UNDERFRADUATES

1. PERCEIVED INFLUENCE OF SEXUAL CONTENT ON SOCIAL
MEDIA ON MORAL DEVELOPMENT OF UNILORIN
UNDERGRADUATES
FAMOSIPE AYOMIDE FOLAKE
20/52HN036

2. CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Social media is a powerful tool for the dissemination of information, opinions, and ideologies
(Alodat, Alqoran, & Homoud, 2023). It has significantly influenced various aspects of human
activities (Bello & Kolawole-Ismail, 2017). This is in tandem with Davis (2016), who stated that
the prevalence of social media has a pivotal impact on various aspects of personal and public
life, including processes of identity formation, interpersonal relationships, and politics. The
expansion of social media platforms is due to the increased accessibility of the internet and the
growing use of smartphones across various demographics (Winstone, Mars, Haworth, & Kidger,
2021). Social media are computer-mediated interactive tools that facilitate the developing and
exchange of knowledge, concepts, and other forms of expression through online communities
and networks (Pomfowaa & Dotse, 2023).
It has contributed to the increased number of online conversations and relationship activities
based on peer-to-peer points of view. The pattern of social media communication depends on the
nature and features of each of the social media platforms. Internet activities engaged by younger
demographics have increased in recent times. These platforms did not only increase
communication among young people but the social interactions of people were positively
affected.
According to Zarouali, Brosius, Heuberger and De-Vreese (2021), common social media
platforms are Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and WhatsApp. Similarly, Campbell et al. (2016)
stated that common social media platforms are Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter, and Whatsapp.
Social media contributes to the usability and functionality of the general media for social
engagements and activities. Social media has been viewed as the most recent technological
development in the history of man for communication and other social-related activities. Social
media is regarded as an online network where users are connected to other users in near and far
away locations around the world.

3. However, the widespread use of social media platforms has brought with it increasing exposure
to sexual content, whether intentionally created or passively encountered which affects
individuals (Vandenbosch & Eggermont, 2015).
Sexual content refers to any media, communication that implies sexual behavior, nudity, sexual
themes, and pornography (Peter & Valkenburg, 2023). The increasing exposure to sexual content
on social media among undergraduates has become a subject of growing interest. The sexual
content undergraduates are exposed to on social media often affects their attitudes, beliefs and
behaviors. As sexual content becomes increasingly normalized online, concerns have grown
regarding its influence on the moral development of young users.
Pornography remains a distinct sexual content on social media. Exposure to pornography can
trigger risky sexual behaviors in individuals (Peter & Valkenburg, 2016). Risky sexual behavior
encompasses activities that yield adverse consequences, such as sexually transmitted diseases
(STDs), unwanted pregnancies, and abortions (Peter & Valkenburg, 2016). Awan and Hashmi
(2023) stated that there is a growing normalization of pornography, where such content is no
longer seen as a taboo among many individuals. Koronczai, Urbán, and Demetrovics (2021),
found that pornographic content is shared within private groups and are disguised under memes
and trends, making it more accessible and normalized among individuals. This has become a
social issue which affects the moral development of undergraduates.
Moral development is a process of learning how to behave ethically and to make decisions based
on internalized moral principles, often shaped by family, culture, and society (Narvaez &
Lapsley, 2022). It involves the acquisition of values and principles that guide behavior and
distinguish right from wrong.
Vandenbosch and Eggermont (2023) found that undergraduate who frequently engage with
sexual content on platforms like TikTok and Instagram reported adopting more permissive sexual
norms, often without critically thinking about the ethical implications of such attitudes. When
individuals misinterpret sexual content, they tend to adopt harmful values systems that may
conflict with accepted moral development in the society (Livingstone et al. (2022).

4. Understanding the perceived influence of sexual content on social media on moral development
is important not only to learn how individuals experience this content but also to inform
interventions that support healthy moral development in this digital age.
This study, therefore, seeks to explore the perceptions of undergraduates regarding the influence
of sexual content on their moral development, including how they interpret, react to, and
internalize the values embedded in the content they encounter online.
Despite the prevalent consequences attached to this phenomenon, users still make use of social
media platforms to engage with sexual content in order to gratify their needs. The Uses and
Gratification Theory was propounded by Elihu Katz, Jay Blumler, and Micheal Gurevitch in
1970s. The Uses and Gratification Theory posits that individuals actively seek out media content,
including sexual content on social media, in order to satisfy their needs and desires. Using the
Uses and Gratification Theory, this study will focus on the perceived influence of sexual content
on social media on moral development of University of Ilorin undergraduates. A study by
Adebayo and Ojo (2022) on Nigerian university students found that while many students
acknowledged that social media content had a significant influence on their views about sex and
relationships, they also expressed concerns about the negative impact on societal values and
personal morals.
1.2STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The rapid growth of social media platforms has changed how people communicate, access
information, and share content with others. Despite the numerous advantages, social media has
also become an avenue for the distribution of sexually suggestive images, pornography, and
conversations. Several concerns have been raised about the influence of these content on the
moral development of undergraduates.
The increasing exposure of students to sexual content on platforms like Snapchat, Whatsapp,
Twitter and Facebook pose a potential threat to their moral development, academic concentration
and psychological well-being. A research study carried out by (Peter & Valkenburg, 2016),
suggests that frequent exposure to sexual content can influence undergraduate’s attitudes and
beliefs regarding sexuality, often leading to premature sexual experimentation, altered sexual

5. norms, and distorted perceptions of gender roles. The problem is not only the content but how it
is perceived, normalized, and internalized by individuals, often without critical reflection.
With the increasing consumption of sexual content on social media and the lack of consistent
moral guidance in digital spaces, it has become very necessary to investigate how young adults
perceive the impact of this content on their values, behaviors, and moral decision-making. This
study is important to understand how sexual content on social media is perceived to influence the
moral development of University of Ilorin undergraduates.
1.3RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
The main objectives of this study is to examine the perceived influence of sexual content on
social media on the moral development of undergraduates at University of Ilorin. This study
wants to:
examine the extent to which University of Ilorin undergraduates are exposed to sexual
content on social media
explore how undergraduates perceive the influence of sexual content on their moral
values and behavior
examine the relationship between sexual content on social media and moral development
of University of Ilorin undergraduates
identify the coping strategies that undergraduates use in managing the moral implications
of consuming sexual content on social media
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
The research study seeks to answer the following questions:
To what extent are University of Ilorin undergraduates exposed to sexual content on
social media?
How do undergraduates perceive the influence of sexual content on their moral values
and behavior?
What is the relationship between sexual content on social media and moral development
of University of Ilorin undergraduates?

6. What are the coping strategies that undergraduates use in managing the moral
implications of consuming sexual content on social media?
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
Empirically, this research study will add to literatures on how undergraduates perceive sexual
content on social media and its influence on their moral development. This study will provide
empirical data on how exposure to sexual content on platforms such as Whatsapp, Snapchat,
Twitter, and Facebook may shape undergraduates’ perceptions of right and wrong, sexual
behavior, and social norms.
Theoretically, this study will contribute to the previous body of knowledge about the Uses and
Gratification Theory thereby integrating how they sexual content is being perceived with this
theory and its implications.
This study will help undergraduates became aware on how their online media habits can
influence their moral development, thereby encouraging more intentional and reflective media
consumption.
The findings of this research can guide educational policymakers and regulatory agencies in
formulating media policies and curricular reforms.
1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
This study focuses on examining the perceived influence of sexual content on social media on
moral development among fully-registered Undergraduate students of the University of Ilorin
(UNILORIN) for the 2024/2025 academic session.
The study will explore the types of sexual content students are exposed to on popular social
media platforms such as Instagram, Twitter (X), TikTok, Snapchat, and Facebook. It will also
investigate students’ interpretations of such content, their perceived impact on moral
development, academic life, and social relationships.
Data collection will be limited to the UNILORIN undergraduate population during the
2024/2025 academic session, using structured online questionnaires to gather relevant
information. By narrowing the scope to UNILORIN undergraduates, the study aims to provide

7. context-specific insights that can inform tailored strategies in media literacy, youth education,
and institutional policy formulation.
1.7DEFINITION OF TERMS
Social media: These are digital platforms that allows users to create, share, and interact
with each other. For this study, social media refers to Facebook, Instagram, Whatsapp,
Twitter (X), and Snapchat.
Sexual Content: This refers to pictures, videos, languages or information that shows that
shows people engaging in sexual activities.
UNILORIN Undergraduates: Refers to fully registered students of UNILORIN for the
2024/2025 academic session who are pursuing a first degree in a university (B.Sc., B.A.,
B.Eng., etc.).
Perceived sexual content: refers to any form of material that an individual interprets as
sexually suggestive, explicit, or provocative, regardless of the creator’s intention.
Moral Development: The process through which individuals develop ethical principles
and learn to differentiate between right and wrong
Perceived influence: This refers to how undergraduates understand, and believe that
sexual content on social media affects their moral development.
1.8ORGANIZATION OF CHAPTERS
The study is examining the Perceived influence of sexual content on social media on moral
development of University of Ilorin undergraduates. The research is organized in five chapters,
which are explained as follows:
Chapter one of this research study provides an overview of the research study. It comprises of
the background to the study, statement of the problem, objectives of the study, research
questions, significance of the study, scope of the study, and definition of terms.
Chapter two of this study consists of review of relevant literature; conceptual, theoretical and
empirical review. It explicates concepts such as social media, moral development, social media
and undergraduates, sexual content, and Uses and Gratifications of sexual content on social

8. media. Uses and Gratification Theory will be used to drive the study. In the empirical study,
diverse related studies were reviewed.
Chapter three outlines the methodology of this study. It includes the research design, research
method, population of the study, sample size, sampling technique, instrument for data collection,
validity and reliability, data collection method, data analysis techniques, and ethical
consideration.
Chapter four of this study includes the data presentation and interpretation and its implications
on the research.
Chapter five consists of the summary, conclusions, and recommendation of the study. It includes
the summary of the findings, conclusions, limitations of the study, recommendations and
suggestions for future studies.
REFERNCES

9. Alodat, A. M., Al-Qora’n, L. F., & Abu Hamoud, M. (2023). Social media platforms and political
participation: A study of Jordanian youth engagement. Social Sciences, 12(7), 402.
Awan, G. A., & Hashmi, H. A. (2023). The role of social media in the accessibility and
normalization of pornographic material among youth. Journal of Youth and Media
Studies, 4(2), 98–112. Retrieved from
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/376001475
Bello, S., & Kolawole-Ismail, B. (2017). Social media and political participation in Nigeria: A
theoretical perspective. Ebonyi State University Journal of Mass Communication, 4(1),
149-164.
Campbell, S., Chong, S., Ewen, V., Toombs, E., Tzalazidis, R. & Maranzan, K.A. (2016) “Social
Media Policy for Graduate Students: Challenges and Opportunities for Professional
Psychology Training Programs”, Canadian Psychology/Psychologie Canadienne, 57 (3),
202–210
Davis, J. S. (2016). Building a professional teaching identity on social media: A digital
constellation of selves. Rotterdam, Netherlands: Sense Publishers
Koronczai, B., Urbán, R., & Demetrovics, Z. (2021). Pornographic content consumption through
social media platforms: The mediating role of digital disinhibition and online risk
behaviors. Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 10(3), 619–632.
https://doi.org/10.1556/2006.2021.00061
Livingstone, S., Mascheroni, G., & Stoilova, M. (2022). The role of parental mediation in
shaping youth moral resilience online. New Media & Society, 24(1), 73–92.
https://doi.org/10.1177/1461444820959282
Narvaez, D., & Lapsley, D. K. (2022). Moral development in a post-truth era: Cultivating moral
character in challenging times. Developmental Psychology, 59(2), 210–222.
https://doi.org/10.1037/dev0001389
Peter, J., & Valkenburg, P. M. (2023). Adolescents and sexual media: An updated review of the
literature. Journal of Adolescent Health, 72(1), 35–42.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2022.10.002

10. Pomfowaa, G &Dotse, J. A. (2023). The use of social media as a means of information
dissemination among postgraduate students: A case study of the university of Mines and
Technology (UMT), TarkwaGhana. Mining Journal, 23(1), 34-43.
https://doi.org/10.43/4/gm.v22il.l
Vandenbosch, L., & Eggermont, S. (2015). The role of mass media in adolescents’ sexual
behaviors: Exploring the explanatory value of the three media exposure models. Journal
of Youth and Adolescence, 44(5), 1033–1047. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-015-0256-1
Vandenbosch, L., & Eggermont, S. (2023). Social media exposure to sexual content and
permissive sexual norms: A longitudinal study. Media Psychology, 26(2), 101–116.
https://doi.org/10.1080/15213269.2022.2048403
Winstone, L., Mars, B., Haworth, C. M., & Kidger, J. (2021). Social media use and social
connectedness among adolescents in the United Kingdom: a qualitative exploration of
displacement and stimulation. BMC Public Health, 21(1), 1-15.
Zarouali, Brosius, Helberger, and de Vreese (2021) WhatsApp Marketing: A Study on WhatsApp
Brand Communication and the Role of Trust in Self- Disclosure International Journal of
Communication 15 (1) pp. 23-30