THE INFLUENCE OF TELEVISION & SOCIAL MEDIA ON INDECENT DRESS CODE OF YOUTHS IN YENAGOA, BAYELSA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examined the exposure to media indecent dressing syndrome among youths of Yenagoa, Bayelsa state. The aim of the study was to investigate the influence the media exerts on youth dressing pattern and to examine the perceived consequences of indecent dressing on youths. The specific objectives were to find out if exposure to media indecent dressing influence the dressing pattern of youths in Yenagoa, determine the contents (programmes) of the mass media that exposes youths of Yenagoa to indecent dressing and examine the perceived consequences of indecent dressing on youths of Yenagoa. The study was underpinned by the media dependency theory and social cognitive theory. A survey design was adopted and from the projected population of Yenagoa in 2021 which is 523,529.6 the sub-set of residents to be studied was achieved using the Taro Yamane’s formula arriving at a sample size of 400 respondents. The multistage sampling technique was used while the random sample (ballot) was employed to select the respondents out of which only 362 respondents filled and returned their questionnaire. The data collected were statistically analyzed using frequency, percentages and mean. The findings of this study among others revealed that young people copy most of their dress code from models, celebrities and stars showcased in the mass media. The findings of the study also showed among others that mass media contents such as music videos, advertisements, films and drama, reality TV shows, fashion shows, beauty pageants, unsolicited messages and cyber-attacks exposes mass media audiences to indecent dressing. The study also revealed that indecent dressing exposes one to sexual harassments and rape. Based on the findings of the study it was recommended among others that the legislative arm of government should empower the regulators of the mass media, National Press Council (NPC) and National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to ensure that they extend their regulatory role to foreign media that are accessible in the country, preventing them from disseminating indecent contents for audience consumption. As a means of effective sensitization, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and especially the federal and state owned media outfits should put in place programmes that sample opinions of youths on indecent dressing and its consequences, showcasing victims of the after effects, so as to deter young people from indulging in this social malady. The study concluded that through these ways, proper dress sense will be inculcated in the lives of youths in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.