EXPOSURE TO SOCIAL MEDIA AND RISKY SEXUAL BEHAVIORS AMONG UNDERGRADUATES IN ONDO STATE.

This study investigated the influence of social media exposure on risky sexual behaviours among undergraduates in Ondo State, using Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko as a case study. The rising use of social networking platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp has brought significant concerns about their role in shaping students’ sexual attitudes and behaviours. The study was motivated by the need to understand how frequent interaction with sexualized online content may predispose young people to risky practices that threaten their sexual health and wellbeing. A descriptive survey design was adopted, and data were collected from 150 undergraduate students selected across different faculties of the university. Structured questionnaires were employed to gather information on demographic variables, patterns of social media use, risky sexual behaviours, and practices influenced by online exposure. The data were presented in frequency tables, with percentages used for interpretation. The analysis focused on identifying associations between social media engagement and risky sexual practices. Findings revealed that the majority of respondents were highly engaged on social media, with many reporting daily use that exceeded four hours. A significant number of students admitted encountering sexually explicit content online and acknowledged that such exposure influenced their perception of relationships and sexual behaviour. Risky sexual practices such as unprotected sex, multiple partners, sexting, and casual sexual encounters were prevalent among respondents. Furthermore, a notable proportion of students confirmed that they had met sexual partners through social media, and many agreed that online interactions normalized risky sexual behaviours within their peer groups. The study concludes that social media plays a central role in shaping sexual attitudes and behaviours among undergraduates. Exposure to sexually suggestive and explicit content significantly contributes to the adoption of risky sexual practices, with peer validation and digital trends serving as reinforcing factors. It is recommended that targeted digital literacy campaigns, comprehensive sexual education, and institutional counselling services be strengthened to mitigate the negative impact of social media on students’ sexual health. Keywords: Social media, Sexual behaviour, Risky sexual practices, Undergraduates, Peer influence. Word counts: 323