Abstract:
The present study aims to investigate the influence of social media and its associated platforms on
interpersonal relationships among Tanzanian students enrolled at the Institute of Accountacy,Arusha
(IAA). Given the widespread adoption and extensive usage of these platforms, there is a need to
explore their impact on users' psyche and interactions with others. A number of studies have suggested
that social media usage can affect individual behavior, and this research seeks to examine the extent of
such influence. The study has three overarching objectives. First, it seeks to identify the types of
interpersonal relationships formed by Tanzanian students through the use of social media. Second, it
aims to assess the positive effects of social media on interpersonal relationships among students.
Third, it aims to examine the negative effects of social media on interpersonal relationships among
students. The research methodology primarily employs a quantitative approach, involving the use of
purposive sampling to obtain a sample size of 364 IAA scholars from the main campus in the Arusha
region. Data collection is done through the use of Google Forms, and collected data is recorded and
coded using Microsoft Excel. The Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) is used for data
analysis, with the main method of analysis being correlation analysis between the frequency of social
media usage and the positive and negative effects on interpersonal relationships among students, with
social media usage serving as the independent variable. The study also highlights the issue of
addiction, which has become one of the most prevalent negative impacts of social media usage. As
such, stakeholders such as the government are advised to spearhead further studies on the possible
consequences and remedies before the issue becomes widespread. Overall, this study provides
valuable insights into the impact of social media on interpersonal relationships among Tanzanian
students, which can help inform the development of effective policies and interventions aimed at
promoting healthy social interactions and relationships among youth
