Membership in Online Groups: A Source of Bridging and Bonding Social Capital for Kenyan Youth

By assessing the connection between an individual’s membership to an online group and the reasons that lead and keep them there, this article explores the reasons why the youth in Nairobi, Kenya join online groups; topics discussed in the groups and why group members may stay or leave a group. It employs the Computer-Mediated Communication Theory and Uses and Gratification Theory in assessing the meaning of the responses given by the youth studied. A cross-sectional survey targeting Nairobi youth was conducted in two universities in Nairobi in which 384 questionnaires were administered to the targeted respondents. Four focus group discussions of ten participants were conducted and eight social media experts were interviewed. The study found that 50% of the youth are members of up to three online groups, such as academics, sports, politics, former schools, family and friends. Membership in these online groups provides bridging as well as bonding social capital. The study concluded that online groups are important communities for the youth, and therefore there is need to create awareness on the boundaries of these communities and the interactive activities that happen there, which may have varied impact in the lives of youthful online groups’ members.