Electronic and Social Media Use among Secondary Students in Kenya

In the last decade, we have witnessed a sharp increase in the availability and use of electronic devices. Due to this, electronic devices have become an integral part of adolescent life with reports indicating ownership of at least one electronic media by students. There is increasing concern about the negative effects of excessive use of various electronic media by students but the monitoring of these behaviors is globally low. This necessitated the need for this study which   investigated on usage of electronic and social media among students, and perceived influence of electronic media on students’ social behaviour. The study was guided by two objectives: To establish student electronic ownership and activities when using internet and to determine influence of electronic and social media on students’ social behaviour. The study is anchored on two theories: Social influence theory and the social innovation theory. Descriptive survey design was employed with a sample of 359 students. Data was obtained using a questionnaire. Quantitative data was analyzed by use descriptive statistics.  Stratified and random sampling procedures were used to select participants. The study established that students frequently connected to the internet; students concentrated on searching sexual images and listening to sexual discussions and explicit music and that sex-texting was common. Common discussions among students focused on dating and explicit music, movies and celebrities.  It was concluded that electronic media has a major influence on students life and students social behaviour. The study recommended that there is need to educate students on more effective use of electronic media.