Abstract:
Face to face interaction has been the basic mode of communication since time immemorial.
However with the continuous growth of ICT and social media sites, it is important to find out
the impact social media has on face to face interaction. Therefore, the aim of this study was to
investigate the impact of social media on face to face interaction among students; a case
study of UNILUS University. Specifically, the study investigated the purpose that social media
serves, students’ attitudes towards face to face interaction. It further looked at the negative
and positive impacts of social. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative methods.
A total of hundred respondents from UNILUS were conveniently selected for the study. Data
was collected through questionnaires that had open and closed-ended questions. Data was
analyzed using descriptively using statistical packages for social sciences (SPSS). Results
revealed that the most used social media tools by students are Facebook and WhatsApp which
they mainly use for academic, social, religious and business purposes. The study indicated
that students have not totally condemned face to face interaction. It also indicated that the
positive impacts of social media include connecting, reviving and preserving relationships
and the negative impact among others is that it has led to anxiety and isolation among
students due to addiction and too much time spent online. In view of the above, the study
recommended that students should be made aware of negative effects of social media and
that adequate sensitization should be made on the usage of social media and bring to their
attention that social media is not there to replace face to face but to help people solve
problems with minimal time wastage.
