INFLUENCE OF SNAPCHAT’S ADULT CONTENT ON THE COMMERCIALIZATION OF SEX AMONG UNDERGRADUATES IN SELECT UNIVERSITIES IN ENUGU METROPOLIS

ADIUKWU, ESTHER CHINONSO (2025) INFLUENCE OF SNAPCHAT’S ADULT CONTENT ON THE COMMERCIALIZATION OF SEX AMONG UNDERGRADUATES IN SELECT UNIVERSITIES IN ENUGU METROPOLIS. Other thesis, GODFREY OKOYE UNIVERSITY, ENUGU.

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Abstract

This study investigated how undergraduates in Enugu Metropolis engage with Snapchat, particularly focusing on their exposure to sexually explicit content and its possible link to the commercialization of sex. The research specifically examined Snapchat usage patterns among students, their attitudes towards adult content, and whether exposure to such content motivates or normalizes engagement in transactional sex. In addition, the study sought to identify the key factors that encourage or amplify Snapchat’s influence on sex-for-money activities among undergraduates. The research was guided by four main objectives: to determine the frequency and pattern of Snapchat usage among undergraduates in relation to adult content; to explore students’ perceptions and attitudes toward sexually explicit content on Snapchat; to assess whether exposure to such content motivates students to engage in commercial sex; and to identify key factors that drive Snapchat’s influence on sex-for-money activities among students. The study was anchored on three theoretical frameworks: the Theory of Commercialization of Sex, Bandura's Social Learning Theory, and the Technological Determinism Theory, which collectively provided a solid foundation for analyzing how technology and social learning interact to influence youth behavior. A descriptive survey design was adopted for the study, and the population comprised undergraduate students from three selected universities in Enugu metropolis: University of Nigeria Enugu Campus (UNEC), Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT Parklane Campus), and Godfrey Okoye University (GOUNI). The total student population across these institutions was approximately 100,432. Using Taro Yamane’s formula, a sample size of 398 students was determined. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed quantitatively to draw meaningful insights. Findings from the study revealed that Snapchat is widely used by students, with 82% of respondents indicating that they use the app and 87.2% accessing it daily. The study also found that 61.5% of respondents spend between 3 to 5 hours daily on Snapchat, indicating sustained engagement. A majority of students (76.9%) acknowledged that Snapchat contains sexually explicit content, and 71.8% admitted to personally viewing such content. Furthermore, 61.5% of the respondents reported that sexually explicit content is easily accessible on the platform, confirming its widespread availability.

Item Type:	Thesis (Other)
Subjects:	A General Works > AS Academies and learned societies (General)
Divisions:	Faculty of Management and Social Sciences
Depositing User:	Uchenna Eneogwe
Date Deposited:	01 Jun 2026 13:10
Last Modified:	01 Jun 2026 13:34
URI:	http://eprints.gouni.edu.ng/id/eprint/5705

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