SOCIAL MEDIA AS A PLATFORM FOR PROPAGATING MARLIAN MEMES AMONG YOUTHS IN LAGOS METROPOLIS

Abstract

The study examined social media as a platform for propagating marlian memes among youths in Lagos state Metropolis. The Objectives were to ascertain if social media platform is the most used to propagate marlian memes among youths, find out the ways youths use the social media to propagate marlian memes, determine how exposure to marlian memes on social media has been perceived among youths and examine how marlin memes have been used to confer status among youths via social media. In order to address the above objectives, descriptive survey design was adopted. The purposive sampling technique was employed in selecting samples for the study. Data were collected through the instrument of Questionnaire and the results of analysis were presented in frequency distribution tables. The results showed that there was no distinct difference in the use of the social media platforms as the participants signified that they use these platforms in the same way to propagate marlian memes. It was also found that all the identified ways in which marlian memes can be propagated by the youths through social media were true. It revealed that the perception of the exposure to marlian memes on social media was negative. The results showed most of the participants are socially inclined to spreading marlian memes in an attempt to gain popularity online. Thus, the study recommended sensitive and immoral contents flying around on social media could be dampening to the psychology of individuals especially when they are used to bully someone. The propagation of marlin memes should be done responsibly in order for it not to be used to as an anti-social tool against another person. Users of social media platforms should endeavor to bring down or report post that is suggestive of any illicit activities online that are directed to anyone.