Assessment of Selected Digital Media Usage and Public Perception of Volunteer Activism for Vulnerable Groups in Nigeria

Abstract

This study was intended to assess the use of selected Digital Media in democratic and social engagements of vulnerable/ minority groups in Nigeria in terms of how they fair and how the public perceive and subsequently provide the space to accommodate them. The theories of Critical Thinking and the Public Sphere served as theoretical framework. Two hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. Ex-post facto research design was adopted for the study. A sample of 35 volunteers were selected through census technique for the assessment of digital media usage for volunteer activism for vulnerable groups while 12 key informants selected through purposive sampling technique from the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria were selected to determine the public perception of volunteer activism for vulnerable groups. The instruments for data collection consisting of a questionnaire and interview guide were validated by experts in tests and measurements. The reliability estimate of the instruments was established using Cronbach Alpha with the coefficience range of .72 to .79. The data were analysed using Pearson Moment Correlation Coefficient and Anova. The result of the analysis indicated that there is a significant relationship between the use of digital media for democratic activism and participation of vulnerable/ minority groups in democratic/ social engagements. The result also revealed that digital media usage significantly influenced public perception of the engagement of the vulnerable/ minority groups. Based on the findings of the study it was recommended among others that volunteers should increasingly employ the use of digital media for the democratic and social engagements of vulnerable groups.