Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of social media on child abuse prevention in
Nigeria. The objectives were to discover the level of cognizance social media has created on the issue
of child abuse, child abuse prevention, and if social media is really a tool in preventing child abuse
in Nigeria. The study was anchored on technology determinism theory. Using the purposive sampling
technique, 30 discussants were selected for focus group discussion on the subject matter. The study found
that social media alone is not effective enough in preventing child abuse in Nigeria. Research findings
further revealed that although the information given about child abuse on social media platforms are
believable and acceptable, there has been no significant influence of social media on child abuse pre vention in Nigeria. To this end, the researcher recommended that there should be public enlightenment
programs that reach the grassroots to create public awareness on child abuse prevention, its effects on
children, and the legal consequences.
