Influence of Internet on Sexual Awareness of Teenagers in Public Senior Secondary Schools in Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

This research work examined the influence of the internet on the sexual awareness of teenagers in public senior secondary schools in Rivers State, Nigeria. The study aimed to investigate the impact of three key internet platforms pornographic sites, YouTube, and Facebook on teenagers' sexual knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. Utilizing a descriptive research design, the population consisted of 49,595 students, with a sample size of 397 selected through stratified sampling. A structured questionnaire, validated by experts and demonstrating reliability coefficients ranging from 0.78 to 0.82, was employed for data collection. Data were analyzed using mean and standard deviation statistics, alongside z-test for hypothesis testing at a 0.05 significance level. Findings revealed that exposure to pornographic sites significantly shapes sexual awareness, particularly among female teenagers, while YouTube and Facebook serve as critical platforms for sexual education. The study concluded that tailored sexual education programs should be developed to address gender-specific needs and leverage online platforms effectively. Recommendations include creating curricula that empower students to critically engage with online content, promoting open discussions about sexual health, and equipping parents with resources to guide their children's internet use.