Generational dichotomies in public perception of social media coverage of the Nigerian #EndSARS protests: Implication for networked communication

Abstract

There are intense debates about the presumed generational dichotomies in the use and perception of new media technologies by young people and older adults. Proponents of this presumed generational divide contend that people born in the current dispensation of high-powered digital technologies (Digital Natives) would perceive and relate with technologies in significantly different ways from their older counterparts (Digital Immigrants). This study examines the possible generational differences in the perception of social media coverage of the #EndSARS protests that erupted in Nigeria in 2020. A cross-sectional survey of 384 residents of South-east Nigeria was conducted, using a questionnaire as a data collection instrument. Findings show that there are no significant generational differences in the extent of exposure to and sources of social media news on the protests, but the perception of social media performances in the coverage of the uprising was significantly different between the two generational cohorts, with the younger respondents having a more favourable perception towards social media than their older counterparts. The study recommends the need for citizen journalists to enhance the perceived efficiency of social media by striving for a greater measure of credibility, accuracy and objectivity in their networked news.