SOCIAL MEDIA AND POLITICAL SOCIALIZATION AMONG STUDENTS OF HERITAGE POLYTECHNIC, EKET

The aim of the study was to assess social media and political socialization among students of Heritage polytechnic, Eket. The objectives of the study were; find out the extent students of Heritage Polytechnic, Eket are exposed to social media information on political activities; to identify what in social media platforms on politics appeal to students of Heritage polytechnic, Eket; to ascertain the factors affecting the political socialization of students of Heritage Polytechnic, Eket through social media, and to examine the effectiveness of social media in the political socialization of students at Heritage Polytechnic, Eket. Diffusion and Technological Determinism theory was adopted to guide the study. Survey research design was used. The population for the study was 3,880. Using questionnaire as instrument for data collection, a total of 384 questionnaires were collected from respondents for analysis. Findings shows that residents of Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area exhibit exposure to social media platforms. Findings also revealed students of Heritage Polytechnic, Eket are exposed to social media information on political activities. Findings also revealed that the extent of exposure to political socialization through social media among students of Heritage polytechnic. The study, therefore, recommended that policymakers and educators should develop and implement programs that promote critical thinking and media literacy skills among students, to enable them to effectively evaluate the information they access on social media. It was also recommended that the management of Heritage Polytechnic, Eket, should establish a functional online platform where students can access accurate and unbiased information about politics and governance, to complement their social media usage.