Social media comment feature and its Use by National Youth Service Corps members in Patani Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the Internet and focused specifically on the comment feature of the social media to determine the extent of the usage of the comment feature for public discourse by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Patani Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria. It provided an insight into the deliberative nature of comments by commenters. This exploratory study, which was foregrounded in the media richness theory, utilised the survey research method. Data collected provided empirical evidence to the effect that youths use the comment sections mostly to comment on entertainment and sports issues, and they do so mostly through blogs. It was, therefore, recommended that youths should spend less time on social media, especially if what they are using social media for will not be to their optimal benefits. They should not limit themselves to only reading and commenting about entertainment, sports and fashion stories, but also engage in discussions about politics and other salient issues. Also, apart from blogs, youths should visit other sites to make comments, especially online newspapers and online news platforms where topical issues are reported and commented on regularly.