Assessing the Factors Affecting Social Media in Preserving Peace and Security in Tanzania:

Abstract

This study assessed the factors affecting social media in preserving peace and security in Tanzania: a case of Tanzania Immigration Services Department special media platforms. This study guided with three specific objectives, namely; to examine the position of social media applications in preserving peace and security in TISD Social Media Platforms; to investigate the social media messages content in preserving peace and security in TISD Social Media Platforms; and to find out the effective measures taken by the Tanzania Immigration Services Department (TISD) in preserving peace and security. Descriptive Research Design was used. Both quantitative and quantitative research approaches by using closed-ended questionnaires and in-depth interview in data collections applied. A total sample size of 150 research subjects used. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics by applying average mean scores and content analysis. Under the first specific objective, an average mean of 2.1 indicating social media are used to some extent; Facebook and WhatsApp used to some extent; Instagram used to a greater extent; Linkedln, Tiktok and Twitter used to a lesser extent. Under the second specific objective, Government Laws and Regulations, Institutional Policies and censorship, Self-regulation, public awareness campaigns and International cooperation policies. Under the third objective, the measures in place are; content moderation in TISD media platforms, education on security alert issues, government regulations and laws, policies guiding social media usage procedure and punishment of offenders in using social media. The study recommends future studies focus on analyzing the challenges facing TISD and other departments in using social media to preserve peace and security.