EFFECT OF ONLINE DATING AMONGST STUDENTS OF TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN KOGI STATE.

Anderson A. Unwuchola,¹ Kenneth Udeh² & Samuel A. Achor³

¹&²Department of Mass Communication, Wesley University, Ondo

³ International Strategic Management Institute (ISMI)

Email:¹andersonunwuchola@gmail.com;²kenudehfx@gmail.com;³achor.samuel@yahoo.com

Abstract

Even though Internet-powered technology has significantly altered the face of dating globally, to include online, not much is known about this technology- mediated romantic relationship in developing countries like Nigeria. The objectives of this study were to know the awareness, exposure, involvement and influence of online dating on students of tertiary institutions in Kogi State. A sample of 383 was selected through a multi-stage from Salem University, Lokoja, Kogi State University, Anyigba, Federal Polytechnic Idah, and College of Education, Okene.  Simple percentages, mean and standard deviation were used in the analysis of data for this study. Results showed that even though most of the respondents are aware of online dating, majority (66.5%) have low knowledge of its workings. Also, exposure, and involvement in online dating were found to be high among the sample studied. It was also found that online dating has negatively influenced the values of students of tertiary institutions in Kogi state in the areas of dressing, sexual permissiveness, offline dating, multiple dating partner, among others. The researcher recommends, among others, that  further studies should explore the influence of online dating on offline romantic communication.