CHALLENGES OF THE USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN ENHANCING NATIONAL SECURITY IN NIGERIA, 2015-2024

Abstract

The sites used for interaction online are known as social networking sites and they include; Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Yahoo messenger, Google talk, Google messenger, Instagram, Snapchat, among others. Social networking is a welcome development because of its numerous benefits such as the speed at which information is disseminated, enhancing learning opportunities and so on. On the other hand, the disadvantages of social media abound and they include lack of privacy and sharing false information about themselves and others. Such information could lead to insecurity in Nigeria. So, this study analyzed the challenges of the use of social media in enhancing national security in Nigeria. Premised on the structural-functionalism theory, the study employed questionnaire and in-depth interviews conducted among communications and security experts in Nigeria. Findings of the study revealed that Social Media are very difficult to control; rather they are controlling the users because of the freedom and absence of law guiding the cyberspace. The increasing use of Social Media has led to greater privacy challenges. Other challenges found are lack of coordination and strategic planning, political interference, lack of defined structures by security agencies, collapse of rule of law institutions and misinformation, disinformation and seditious messages. To curb the ongoing fake news, attack rumors, propaganda and so many others, the national security agents and others aligned agencies must be able to deploy different kinds of mechanisms to gather information, like through news gathering, online surveillance, information sharing, public diplomacy and many others. The Nigerian government and individuals should stop drawing conclusions from the information they see and read on SM.