Social Media Use among University Students Impact on Socialization

The rapid increase in internet usage worldwide has significantly impacted various aspects of life, with social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram becoming integral parts of daily life, especially among younger generations. Social media's influence extends into educational, social, cultural, and political spheres, transforming how individuals interact and communicate. It provides students with tools to engage with peers and educators, potentially enhancing their socialization and educational experiences. This study explored the relationship between using various social media applications, online community participation, information-seeking, and socialization of BS students at public sector universities in Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJ&K). Using a proportionate random sampling technique, 300 students were selected from three public universities of AJ&K. The data was collected through a structured questionnaire survey that allowed for the systematic gathering of responses, ensuring consistency across the sample. The data was analysed using statistical analysis. The findings revealed no substantial relationship between social media use and socialization among university students in this region. An important implication of the findings of this study might be that contrary to common assumptions, social media might play a minor role in these students’ socialization process. However, caution is needed regarding the generalization of the findings, and further studies using triangulation-based designs need to be conducted to have further insights into this topic.