Insight of Twitter ban : student’s perspectives in higher education

Abstract

Twitter appears to be a platform for the elites, with abuse, misuse, misinformation, and disinformation. Twitter bans in various countries, including Nigeria, have raised worries about freedom of expression and information access. This study examines Nigeria's Twitter ban's reasons, effects, and alternative measures The research study was carried out using a quantitative method that takes into account the research objectives and questions for this study. A survey was given to University of Ibadan undergraduates in five faculties to collect data was drawn using the Taro Yamane Sample formula to determine a reliable sample size formula with a 95% confidence level. 385 questionnaires were administered to all undergraduate students from year 1 to 4 (level 100–400), while only 235 from the responses were valid for data analysis. The ban on Twitter led to information deprivation, poor decision-making, the end of long-distance family relationships, and the loss of online colleagues for undergraduate students. According to technological determinism and social responsibility theories, the Nigerian federal government's Twitter ban has left a bad impression on residents. The study found that the Nigerian government and its citizens must acknowledge that authority has limits and act within those limits without violating others' rights. The study suggested alternate platforms to help students access learning resources and engage with academic peers for quality education in sustainable development Goal-4.