Parenting style and social media use as predictors of social studies students' value acquisition in Ondo West Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was carried out to examine parenting styles and social media use as predictors of Social Studies students' value acquisition. Five hundred students were randomly selected from 10 secondary schools (five private and five public schools). Three research instruments, namely; Scale of Parenting Style r= 0.78; Students' Social Media Use Questionnaire r-0.77; and Students' Value Acquisition Scale r=0.71 were used. Finding shows that authoritative parenting style has direct link with student's value acquisition while other variable may rely on some predictors to have direct links. All the five independent variables accounted for 15% joint contribution to students' value acquisition. The findings also revealed relative contribution of authoritative parenting style to students' value acquisition. It is recommended that authoritative parenting style should be employed in raising children to learn how to think and make responsible choices. There is the need to discourage negative use of social media by secondary school students both at home and in school.