The Impact Of social Media on interpersonal relationships Among students in Higher Learning Institutions:

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