JOURNAL OF SOCIAL AND MANAGEMENT SCIENCES
Journal of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria

ISSN: 1597-0396
DOI: 10.5987/UJ-JSMS
Email: jsms@universityjournals.org


PARENTS’ PERCEPTION OF THE USE AND IMPACT OF NEW MEDIA AMONG CHILDREN IN WARRI METROPOLIS, DELTA STATE, NIGERIA

DOI: 10.5897/UJ-JSMS.16.007.1   |   Article Number: BA4F477   |   Vol.10 (3) - September 2015

Authors:  IJEH Nkemdilim Patrick and EDUN Oritsesholaye Agnes

Keywords: Channels of communication, Internet, Socialisation, Content, Message

The new media phenomenon is no longer a novelty in Nigeria. Many Nigerians know about (and use) them. Accordingly, several studies have examined different aspects of new media but not much has been said about parents’ perception of how new media affect their children. This study sought to examine how much parents know about their children’s use of new media, their attitude towards their children’s use of new media and the ways they think new media affect their children. The study is anchored on social cognitive theory and adopted survey. A sample of 120 was selected from parents, whose children use new media in Warri Metropolis. Findings indicate high level of parents’ awareness of new media use among children, and that parents’ approve of new media use by children. Parents stressed need to guard new media use among children by education and monitoring. The study recommends that the society should join forces with parents to educate children on how to maximise benefits of new media and avoid the dangers.