Social Media and Teenage Pregnancy among Students in Secondary Schools in Imenti North Sub-County, Meru County, Kenya

Abstract

Teenage pregnancies and the eventual dropping out of school has been and still is a major problem bedeviling the education sector in many parts of developing countries. This study investigated the influence social media on teenage pregnancies among public secondary school students in Imenti North Sub County. The study is hinged on two theories; Social learning theory and social cognitive theory. The study is further supported by the media practice model. Descriptive survey research design guided the study. Target population constituted of 5,496, form three and four students, 300 teachers and 9 education officers. A sample size of 359 participants was used and respondents picked through Stratified and Simple random sampling. Two questionnaires and an interview guide were used to collect data. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics while qualitative data was reported in form of narratives based on the themes of investigation. The study established that access to social networking sites by students was high with much focus on sexually explicit music, sex images, videos, sex texting and student sex solicitation on line and there was limited use directed to academic information. The study therefore concluded that social media contributed to teenage pregnancy among secondary school students in in Imenti North Sub County. The study recommends that the school administration puts in place guidelines and regulations on usage of media within the schools. Additionally teachers should encourage students to use media for purpose of soliciting information relevant to education especially when in school