Use of Digital Social Media at Night, Awareness of the Associated Risks, Beliefs and Driving Factors

Abstract

Studies have reported the effects of using digital social media (DSM) platforms at night on sleep and health. However, there is paucity of studies on awareness of the risks and determinants of this behaviour. This study examined awareness about the risks associated with nocturnal use of DSM and factors driving its use at night. Twenty in-depth interviews were conducted in Ibadan North Local Government Area of Oyo State to assess awareness of DSM users about the risks associated with nocturnal use of DSM, beliefs about nocturnal use of DSM, activities driving the use of the platform at night and quality of sleep of DSM users. Data analysis involved verbatim transcription, content analysis and thematic organization of responses. Users were aware of the risks associated with the nocturnal use of DSM but there was the lack of willingness to take them serious among some users. Participants believe that the use of DSM at night is a form of leisure. Networking, social obligations, engagements at daytime, free and affordable internet data were the identified factors driving nocturnal use of DSM. The study concluded that users were aware of the risks associated with the nocturnal use of DSM but the willingness to take them serious differ among them. Social activities are the drivers of nocturnal use of DSM, predisposing users to poor sleep and its effects. These findings suggest the need for more sensitization about the benefits of adequate sleep at night on health to reduce risky behaviours that may affect sleep such as nocturnal use of DSM.