Abstract
Many Nigerian young adults are using Facebook as a channel of social interactions and for dissemination of cherished messages. This message includes wide range of communication contents which include, but not limited, to text messages, pictures, drawings, video clips and cartoons. To become a Facebook user, one has to open an account with the platform. However, the use of this account is regulated the provisions of what is known as Facebook Community Standards. Consequently, this study examined the knowledge and application of Facebook Community Standards among young adults in Ugep, Yakurr Local Government Area, Cross River State, Nigeria. The major objective was to assess the level of awareness and knowledge about these standards, the extent of their application in daily online interactions, and the factors influencing compliance or non-compliance. A quantitative survey design was adopted, and data were collected from 385 active Facebook users in Ugep community. Findịngs revealed low awareness, with most respondents unfamiliar with the Community Standards and only a few having read them; application of the standards was moderate and inconsistent; was driven mainly by fear of account suspension, perception of the rules as overly strict, and strong peer influence. The study recommends that Meta/Facebook deliver simplified Pidgin-English pop-up explanations of key rules/regulations; and that, youth leaders and popular Ugep social media influencers conduct regular community sensitisation through video skits and social media literacy campaigns.
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