Gender differentials in Facebook use among undergraduates of selected universities in Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the gender differentials in Facebook use among undergraduates of selected tertiary institutions in Enugu State. A total of 382 undergraduates (male-191, female-191, M age 19, M years of Facebook use 7 years) selected through a multi-stage technique provided data for the study on their Facebook use. Simple percentages were used to answer the research questions while Chi-Square test of independence was used to test the hypotheses raised. Result showed no significant relationship between gender and frequency of Facebook use (P-value >0.05), but significant relationship between gender and contents of Facebook (P-value <0.05), significant relationship between gender and time of Facebook use (P-value <0.05) and significant relationship between gender and duration of Facebook use (P-value <0.05) of undergraduates. Based on the result of this study, the researcher concludes that gender significantly influences the Facebook use of undergraduates and recommends, among others, that further studies should be conducted to provide deeper perspectives on the gratifications sought between male and female undergraduate Facebook users.

Keywords: Gender, Differentials, Facebook, Undergraduates, Use