Role of Social Networking Sites on Depression among Nigerian Young Adults

Social Networking Sites have continued to play significant roles in the transformation of human lives and system. SNS have been ascribed as platforms that causes depression among youth most especially due to the level of its use. Therefore, the overall objective of the study is to find out what acts on social media cause depression among Nigerian Young Adults. Using a qualitative design, this study helps to provide an in-depth understanding of 21 respondents who are Nigerians with regards to their experience in SNS use and depression. The questions were targeted at helping to achieve certain purposes and make useful findings. The study was carried out in Fall 20018, in Lagos, Nigeria. The study used triangulation method in collecting its data (interviews, field notes, and observation) which were analyzed thematically. Findings indicate that SNS platforms contribute to depression among Nigerian youths in many ways. The research has been able to find out that there exists a relationship between the use of SNS and the high level of depression experienced by youth in this generation. In addition, findings have been able to attenuate that SNS though facilitates depression, it has also served as an effective tool in creating awareness or campaigning about the causes of depression among the Nigerian youths.