1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background of Study
In recent years, social media platforms have become significant arenas for raising awareness about pressing social issues, including the pervasive problem of sexual harassment among students. Defined as unwanted and often coercive behavior of a sexual nature, such harassment can profoundly impact victims' educational experiences and well-being. Social media channels provide a unique platform for students to share their experiences, amplify voices, and advocate for change.
Sexual harassment among students is a critical issue that can have profound psychological, emotional, and academic consequences. Defined by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission as "unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature," it is a pervasive problem in educational institutions worldwide (EEOC, n.d.). Research indicates that a significant percentage of students experience some form of sexual harassment during their academic careers, ranging from inappropriate comments and gestures to more severe forms of assault (American Association of University Women, 2020).
The advent of social media has revolutionized the way students interact and communicate, offering new avenues for both perpetuating and addressing issues like sexual harassment. Platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok serve as virtual forums where students can share their experiences, seek support, and mobilize for change. Social media campaigns like the #MeToo movement have demonstrated the power of collective storytelling in shedding light on widespread harassment issues and challenging societal norms (Hsieh & Kramer, 2019).
The intersection of social media and awareness of sexual harassment among students has evolved significantly over the past decade. Initially, social media platforms served primarily as spaces for personal expression and networking. However, starting around the mid-2010s, movements such as #MeToo brought widespread attention to the prevalence of sexual harassment and assault, including within educational settings.
The #MeToo movement, which gained momentum in 2017 following allegations against prominent figures in the entertainment industry, sparked a global conversation about sexual misconduct. It encouraged survivors to share their stories publicly, often via social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook. This digital activism not only highlighted the magnitude of the issue but also challenged societal norms and prompted calls for institutional change (Hsieh & Kramer, 2019).
In educational contexts, students increasingly used social media to raise awareness about sexual harassment on campuses. Hashtags such as #TimesUp and #IBelieveYou emerged as rallying cries, fostering solidarity among survivors and allies. These campaigns amplified marginalized voices and pressured educational institutions to address systemic issues of harassment and misconduct more effectively. Today, social media continues to play a crucial role in shaping public discourse and activism surrounding sexual harassment among students. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok facilitate the dissemination of educational resources, survivor support networks, and advocacy efforts. However, challenges remain, including the spread of misinformation and the need for sustained engagement beyond viral moments.
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the influence of social media awareness on sexual harassment among undergraduate students.
1.2 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that there is a lack of comprehensive understanding regarding the effectiveness of social media campaigns in changing attitudes and behaviors related to sexual misconduct. While platforms like Twitter and Instagram facilitate dialogue and visibility, their impact on promoting lasting cultural shifts and institutional reforms within educational settings requires deeper investigation (Hsieh & Kramer, 2019).
Furthermore, the proliferation of social media has also brought challenges such as the dissemination of misinformation and the potential for online harassment and victim blaming. These factors can hinder efforts to create safe and supportive environments for survivors and may deter individuals from disclosing their experiences or seeking help (Renzetti & Edleson, 2008).
Moreover, the digital nature of social media complicates efforts to establish accountability mechanisms and enforce policies against sexual harassment effectively. Educational institutions face unique challenges in navigating privacy concerns, and the evolving landscape of online communication, which can impact their ability to respond swiftly and appropriately to reports of misconduct (Hsieh & Kramer, 2019). Hence, it is against this backdrop that this study aims to examine the influence of social media awareness on sexual harassment among undergraduate students.
1.3 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to investigate the Influence of Social Media Awareness on Sexual Harassment among Undergraduate Students. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To identify the challenges and opportunities associated with using social media for addressing sexual harassment in educational contexts;
- To explore the role of social media in supporting survivors of sexual harassment and fostering advocacy within student communities;
- To assess the influence of social media on attitudes and perceptions regarding sexual misconduct among student populations;
- To examine the effectiveness of social media campaigns in increasing awareness of sexual harassment among students; and
- To propose recommendations for enhancing the effectiveness of social media initiatives in preventing and responding to sexual harassment among students.
1.4 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- Are there challenges faced by educational institutions in responding to reports of sexual harassment amplified through social media?
- Does social media platform contribute to raising awareness about sexual harassment among students?
- What are the perceptions and attitudes of students towards sexual misconduct as influenced by social media campaigns?
- How do social media platforms facilitate support networks and advocacy efforts for survivors of sexual harassment among student communities?
- What are the effective strategies and best practices for utilizing social media to prevent and address sexual harassment within educational settings?
1.5 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: Increased social media awareness campaigns on sexual harassment among students will not significantly reduce the incidence of sexual harassment in educational institutions
- H1: Increased social media awareness campaigns on sexual harassment among students will significantly reduce the incidence of sexual harassment in educational institutions
Hypothesis One
- H0: Social media awareness campaigns will negatively influence institutional policy changes regarding the handling and prevention of sexual harassment within educational settings
- H1: Social media awareness campaigns will positively influence institutional policy changes regarding the handling and prevention of sexual harassment within educational settings
1.6 Significance of Study
This research on "Social Media Awareness on Sexual Harassment of Students among Students" will be significant to the following stakeholders:
- Educational Institutions: Understanding how social media can raise awareness about sexual harassment among students can help educational institutions improve their policies and responses to such incidents. This can lead to safer and more supportive learning environments.
- Students: For students, this study is significant as it explores how social media can empower them to speak out against sexual harassment, find support networks, and advocate for changes in their educational institutions.
- Parents and Guardians: By examining the role of social media in addressing sexual harassment, parents and guardians can better understand the digital landscape their children navigate and support them in recognizing and responding to instances of harassment.
- Policy Makers: Policymakers can use insights from this study to develop or revise policies that address digital forms of sexual harassment, ensuring that educational institutions have effective measures in place to prevent and respond to such incidents.
- Advocacy Organizations: Organizations advocating for the rights and safety of students can benefit from understanding how social media can amplify their voices and mobilize support for policy changes and educational reforms related to sexual harassment.
1.7 Scope of Study
The scope of the research is focused on the Influence of Social Media Awareness on Sexual Harassment among Undergraduate Students in Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State.
1.8 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
1.9 Definition of Terms
Social Media:
Social media refers to the means of interactions among people in which they create, share, and exchange information and ideas in virtual communities and networks (Kaplan & Haenlein, 2010)
Sexual Harassment:
Sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, n.d.)
Students:
Students refer to individuals enrolled in educational institutions, typically pursuing academic or professional education (Oxford Learner's Dictionary, n.d.)
Sexual Education:
It refers to the knowledge of participants with regard to sexual activities including safe and protected sexual intercourse, knowledge of STDs, and unprotected sexual intercourse.
Education:
Education is viewed as the process of inviting truth and possibility. It is the wise, hopeful and respectful cultivation of learning undertaken in the belief that all should have the chance to share in life.
Awareness:
Awareness refers to having knowledge or perception of a situation or fact (Merriam-Webster Dictionary, n.d.)
Intercourse:
The act carried out for procreation or for pleasure in which, typically, the insertion of the male's erect penis into the female's vagina is followed by rhythmic thrusting usually culminating in orgasm; copulation; coitus related adjective venereal.
