Chapter One — 1.1 Background to the Study

Social Media Use has increasingly attracted the attention of researchers, regulators, and practitioners concerned with interpersonal relationships. This growing interest reflects the recognition that social media use does not operate in isolation, but interacts with a wider set of institutional and market conditions found within Enugu State.

Enugu State presents a useful setting for examining this relationship precisely because the conditions there — structural, regulatory, and behavioural — differ from those typically assumed in the broader literature, most of which draws on evidence from more developed economies.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

While social media use is widely discussed in policy and industry circles, empirical evidence on its actual effect on interpersonal relationships within Enugu State remains sparse and, in places, contradictory. This lack of localized, rigorous evidence makes it difficult for decision-makers to know with confidence whether current approaches to social media use are helping or hindering interpersonal relationships — a gap this study sets out to close.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

1. To examine the effect of Social Media Use on interpersonal relationships in Enugu State.
2. To assess the extent to which social media use influences interpersonal relationships within the study area.
3. To identify the challenges associated with social media use in relation to interpersonal relationships.
4. To recommend strategies for optimizing social media use in order to improve interpersonal relationships.

1.4 Research Questions

1. What is the effect of social media use on interpersonal relationships in Enugu State?
2. To what extent does social media use influence interpersonal relationships within the study area?
3. What challenges are associated with social media use in relation to interpersonal relationships?
4. What strategies can be adopted to optimize social media use in order to improve interpersonal relationships?

1.5 Significance of the Study

Beyond its academic contribution to the field of psychology, this study has practical value for management teams within Enugu State seeking to understand how social media use translates into measurable outcomes around interpersonal relationships. It is equally useful to students and future researchers looking for a localized empirical reference on this relationship.

1.6 Scope of the Study

The study is limited to an examination of Social Media Use and its relationship with interpersonal relationships within the context of Enugu State. It reflects a clearly defined scope of analysis and relies on data and perspectives available within that scope; generalizing the findings beyond this specific context should therefore be done with appropriate caution.