AWARENESS AND IMPACT OF NIGERIA IDOL REALITY PROGRAMME ON YOUTHS’ BEHAVIORS IN KWARA STATE

This study examined awareness and impact of Nigeria idol reality programme on youths’ behaviours in Kwara State. The programme, known for its entertainment value and wide viewership, presents an array of content that ranges from interpersonal relationships, social dynamics, lifestyle choices, to ethical conducts. Given the impressionable nature of the youths and their proclivity to emulate what they perceive, understanding the impact of such reality shows on their moral compass is crucial. Objectives of the study were to determine the degree of awareness and exposure to Nigeria Idol reality TV programme among youths’ behaviours in Kwara State, to identify the factors that catalyzed youths’ exposure to Nigeria Idol reality TV programme in Kwara State, to find out the perceived impact of Nigeria Idol reality TV programme on youths’ behaviours in Kwara State, and to suggest ways in which Nigeria Idol reality TV programme can be enhanced to promote culturally acceptable behaviours among youths in Kwara State. This study is anchored on the Social learning theory and Cultivation analysis theory. This study used quantitative research design, it employed survey as method of research in this work. The population of this study was 89,282 while the sample size was 200. The sampling technique used was purposive sampling technique. The data analysis method that was used for this research work was statistical analysis which involves simple percentage and cross tables. The data gathered and analyzed revealed that majority of the respondents were fully aware and exposed to Nigeria Idol reality TV programme, the respondents identified availability, social influence, escapism and celebrity culture as the factors that catalyzed youths’ exposure to Nigeria Idol reality TV programme in Kwara State, the respondents perceived the impact of Nigeria Idol on youths’ behaviours in Kwara State as negative and that majority of the respondents suggested that Nigeria Idol reality TV programme can be enhanced to promote culturally acceptable behaviours among youths in Kwara State by showcasing of positive role models, by highlighting cultural heritages, by promoting education and learning and by addressing social issues. From the data gathered, it was concluded that Nigeria Idol reality TV programme has a reasonable number of viewership and followership among youths in Kwara State. The show is programme is found to entertain and inform but however, in retrospect, the show(s) has negative impact on the behaviours of the youth. It thus recommended that NBC should play the watchdog role by monitoring TV reality shows to ensure strict adherence to regulations, so that the content of the shows can incorporate diverse and relatable contestants who will exemplify positive values such as integrity, empathy, and resilience and that government agencies/departments/parastatals should intensify efforts by equipping themselves with media literacy knowledge on how to place certain control (PG) on their gadgets; more so to limit adolescents exposure to potentially distressing or mental triggering content which may provide adequate breaks and downtime to prevent burnout and emotional exhaustion.