F. P Oliseh

The study was an assessment of the influence of social media on the sexual behavior of undergraduates in the University of Benin(UNIBEN). The study became necessary following the claim that social media is capable of influencing sexual behavior positively and negatively. Social learning theory (SLT), Diffusion of Innovation, Uses and Gratification Theories servedas the framework for this study. Survey design was employed with a 10 item questionnaire of a population of 385 UNIBEN Undergraduate, 378 or 98.2% of them actively participated in the study. Data generated from this study were analyzed with the aid of frequency tables and simple percentage. The study found that social media influences sexual behavior negatively by perpetuating harmful and unrealistic sexual stereotypes, it was also revealed that social media exerts high sexual expectations leading to pressure and conformity to certain sexual norms, etc. Hence, it was recommended among other things that the University of Benin should develop and implement comprehensive sexual education programmes aimed at promoting safe and responsible use of social media exploration by its undergraduates. The study concluded that social media may be harmful but are still useful in influencing sexual behavior of the undergraduates.