DYNAMICS OF ADULT LITERACY FOR CURBING EXCESSIVE DIGITAL SOCIAL MEDIA USE AMONG YOUNG ADULTS: IMPLICATIONS FOR EFFECTIVE TEACHING AND LEARNING

Abstract

Excessive digital social media among contemporary teenagers has become a hydra-headed monster, leading to social isolation, anxiety, depression, phubbing, and low academic performance. This study investigated the dynamics of adult literacy in curbing excessive digital social media use among young university adults in Epe district, Lagos State. The objective is to explore how the dynamics of adult literacy can be utilised as an effective major instrument for curbing students’ misuse and excessive use of digital devices. The study adopted an experimental research design comprising experimental and control groups. The former was given adult literacy education while the latter was not. SPSS 21.0 version was used to compare the before and after excessive digital social media use, social isolation, and phubbing analysis. Also t-test was conducted to compare the differences. Results indicated that the average exccesive digital social media use and social isolation scores of the experimental and control group showed t=4,56, p=0.002 and t-1.24, p=.321 respectively for social isolation and phubbing. This study hence showed that adult literacy education can be effective for curbing excessive social media use. The research thus contributes to the growing body of knowledge by integrating the dynamics of adult literacy into a cohesive framework that has practical implications for psychologists, educators, and policymakers. These are significant as they offer actionable insights for developing targeted adult literacy intervention programmes to support young adults in navigating the digital age. Finally, recommendations aimed at optimizing the benefits of technology while minimizing its negative impacts on the younger generation were offered, thus fulfilling the study's objectives and providing a basis for future policy and educational strategies.