ABSTRACT
The mass appeal of social networks on the internet could be a cause for concern, particularly when attending to the gradually increasing amount of time youths spend online. Social networking sites offer youths the possibilities of networking and sharing media content, therefore embracing the main web 2.0 attributes against the framework of their respective structural characteristics (Jenkins, 2006). The internet has an indescribable power to influence, connect and mobilize youths. Some youths are overwhelmed by the easy access and freedom to multifarious media content on the internet and have lost control over its usage and begun having problems with their functionality in social, vocational and personal circles as the internet has taken over total control of their lives. Thus, this paper attempt to examine social media and
popular cultures and specifically focuses on the gullibility of Nigerian youths that are addicted in consuming foreign media contents via social media sites and how social media has affected their communication and socialization habits. Although, it is impossible to dissuade youths from using the social media, however, youths should be encouraged to engage online websites more creatively to their advantage and to the benefit of the society. This paper recommends that there is need for parents, guardians, to understand the use of these forms of media and, if possible, attempt to use them, and try to be involved thereby monitoring their wards on how they use these sites and what they use the sites for. They should also encourage youths to engage media content on social media platforms pro-actively and profitably.
KEYWORDS:Social Media, Popular Culture, Media Consumption, Gullibility.
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