Department of Mass Communication

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Browsing Department of Mass Communication by Author "ADEGBITE, Majesty Adedayo"

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    Impact of Social Media Addiction on Communication and Intimacy in Marital Relationship among Couples in Ilorin Metropolis
    (KWASU Journal of Information, Communication and Technology, 2025) ADEGBITE, Majesty Adedayo; SHAIBU, Agnes Joe
    The study examined the impact of social media addiction on communication and intimacy in marital relationship among couples in Ilorin Metropolis, Nigeria. Guided by four research questions, the study explored the patterns of social media use, its impact on communication and intimacy, marital satisfaction, trust and perceived partner commitment. A qualitative research design was employed, using semi-structured interviews with fifteen couples selected through purposive sampling. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Findings revealed that most couples reported excessive use of platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, particularly at night, often resulting in reduced face-to-face interaction. Social media addiction was found to negatively affect communication and intimacy, with couples citing distractions during conversations and reduced emotional closeness. The findings align with time displacement theory, showing how digital engagement replaces meaningful interpersonal bond, though it was found that social media was still used by couples to connect with each other and to increase communication and intimacy. The study concluded that while social media enhances accessibility, overuse or addiction to it poses significant challenges to marital stability. Recommendations highlighted the need for intentional boundaries, improved digital literacy, and couple-focused interventions to foster healthier online and offline relationship balance.