Analysis of the Effects of Social Media Sexting on Adolescents and Youths Sexual Behaviours and Attitudes Towards Sexuality in Nigeria

Abstract

This paper analyses the effects of social media sexting on the social behaviours of Nigerian adolescents and youths, and their attitudes towards sexuality. Premised on the tenets of the uses and gratifications and social learning theories, the paper observes that Nigerian adolescents and youths use social media for several needs gratifications and learn from their social media experiences. The paper observes that Nigerian adolescents and youths also engage in sexting, a phenomenon which emerged as a social media trends. Analysis from available literature shows that there are risks associated with social media use, among which sexing is the most pervasive. As the literature on sexting has shown and all internet especially youths and adolescents users are susceptible and vulnerable to becoming sexting victims. The paper shows the various ways through which sexting affects the sexual orientations and behaviours of adolescents and youths, as well as their attitudes towards sexuality, noting desensitization, teasing, taunting, shame, ridicule, humiliation, embarrassment, harassment, divorce, job loss or suicide the key consequences of sexting. Conclusion of the paper is that besides sexually corrupting the budding minds, sexting is altering and forcing the long cherished values of confidentiality and intimacy in relationships, marital fidelity, family bond and morality to speedily wane.