2025, Vol. 6, Issue 2, Part A
Social media and the changing patterns of recreational engagement among University of Jos students
Author(s): Chinedu J Anyamele, Tina O Iirmdu, Ukah O Abigail, Kangyang C Nyango, Seri N Monday, Christiana K Yakubu and Muhammad A Labiru
Abstract: This study examines how social media is reshaping recreational engagement among students of the University of Jos, Nigeria. Traditionally, students participated in diverse physical, cultural, and social recreational activities. However, the rise of platforms such as WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter has significantly altered these patterns. Using a quantitative survey design, data were collected from 810 undergraduate students across faculties through a structured questionnaire. The findings indicate that indoor physical recreation (40%) and outdoor physical activities (30%) are the most replaced by social media use. Social media engagement peaks at night (41%) and evening (30%), reflecting a strong preference for digital leisure during off-academic hours. The study reveals a 70% overall decline in traditional recreation due to social media, with only 10% of students reporting increased engagement in offline leisure. Psychosocial implications include impaired academic focus (36%), altered sleep patterns (28%), addiction (20%), and increased anxiety or depression (16%). Gender analysis showed that female students dominate usage across all platform types, particularly Snapchat and TikTok. The discussion, anchored on Time Displacement and Uses and Gratifications theories, highlights how digital media displaces physical and social leisure while offering new, albeit passive, forms of recreation. The findings suggest that while social media offers convenience and global connectivity, it poses risks to students’ physical activity, social interaction, and academic productivity. Understanding these dynamics is essential for university administrators, health professionals, and policymakers seeking to promote healthier leisure habits in the digital era.
DOI: 10.22271/27084450.2025.v6.i2a.122
Pages: 53-60 | Views: 1141 | Downloads: 703
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How to cite this article:
Chinedu J Anyamele, Tina O Iirmdu, Ukah O Abigail, Kangyang C Nyango, Seri N Monday, Christiana K Yakubu and Muhammad A Labiru. Social media and the changing patterns of recreational engagement among University of Jos students. International Journal of Advanced Mass Communication and Journalism. 2025; 6(2): 53-60. DOI: 10.22271/27084450.2025.v6.i2a.122
