Internet Usage and the Development of Social Skills among Nigerian Youths

Abstract

This research was carried out to examine the effects of the use of internet on the development of social skills of Nigerian youths. It is born out of the existing contention on the social impact of internet usage on the youths of the nation.  The study adopted a survey research design, two research question and three hypotheses were generated to guide the study. The main instrument for data collection was Internet Usage and Social Skill questionnaire (IUSSQ).  The sample of the study was five hundred youths, randomly selected in Cross River State Tertiary Institutions. The data were analyzed using independent t-test and Pearson Product Moment Correlation. The result revealed that despite the usefulness of internet, it had a negative impact on the development of social skills among Nigerian youths. The conclusion was that internet usage cut down social activities and exposes the youths to some anti-social behaviors, portraying them as either victims or criminals. Based on the finding, it was recommended that a collaborative approach should be utilized to curb the menace of wrong usage of the internet by the youths.