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Social Media: A Security Threat amongst Adolescents in Buea, Cameroon?

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  • Kingsley L. Ngange
  • Vera T. Fonkem
  • Stephen N. Ndode

Abstract

Social media provide a platform through which societies can either be constructed or destabilized. In view of the ongoing bloody conflicts in Cameroon, this study examines the extent to which social media could pose as a security threat (with particular focus on community security) amongst adolescents in Buea, capital of the South West Region in Cameroon. The study uses a quantitative approach, through the collection of data from adolescents in four communities in Buea (Muea, Bomaka, Mile 16, and Molyko). These four areas are selected because the current socio-political crisis rocking the two Anglophone regions of the country ¨C Northwest and Southwest, is particularly severe in these communities. Social media (notably Facebook and WhatsApp) spread dangerous content, and adolescents are vulnerable to such content. Findings indicate that there is a high rate of social media use (Facebook and WhatsApp) amongst adolescents surveyed. Also, the most discussed items on social media are socio-cultural issues (68%), as opposed to political issues (17.8%). Respondents were receptive to discussions on socio-cultural issues like dressing, language and relationships. Results also show that though adolescents come across violent content on social media, they have distanced themselves from being involved in the production, consumption, and dissemination (for instance, share information as received) of such violent content, partly because of the judicial consequences of doing so, as contained in the country¡¯s Terrorism Law of December 2014. The implication here is that, since the adolescents are not yet intoxicated (whether advertently or inadvertently) with destructive social media content, need exists for the effective education of the adolescents, to enable this vulnerable and younger population to continue desisting from negative social media content. Emphasis should be on the consumption of positive social media content that helps in the moral and psychological growth of adolescents.

Suggested Citation

  • Kingsley L. Ngange & Vera T. Fonkem & Stephen N. Ndode, 2019. "Social Media: A Security Threat amongst Adolescents in Buea, Cameroon?," Studies in Media and Communication, Redfame publishing, vol. 7(2), pages 77-97, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:rfa:smcjnl:v:7:y:2019:i:2:p:77-97
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Undp, 1994. "HDR 1994 - New Dimensions of Human Security," Human Development Report (1990 to present), Human Development Report Office (HDRO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), number hdr1994, September.
    3. Lee Cronbach, 1951. "Coefficient alpha and the internal structure of tests," Psychometrika, Springer;The Psychometric Society, vol. 16(3), pages 297-334, September.
    4. Thomas Zeitzoff, 2017. "How Social Media Is Changing Conflict," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 61(9), pages 1970-1991, October.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    social media; security threat; community security; adolescents; Buea-Cameroon;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • R00 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General - - - General
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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