Abstract

The study set out to investigates television consumption and its effects on youth behaviour. Case study: Molyko. (a) to establish what youths in Molyko use television for (b) to analyze the influence of television on youth behaviour in Molyko.

From these objectives, two research questions were formulated and hypotheses state in both null and alternative forms was equally formulated. The study adopted the survey research design with a sample of 50 levels 300 JMC students of the university of Buea, through a Purposive and convenient sampling procedure. The study used questionnaire for data collection.

Result of the study revealed youth do not usually follow up news over their television every day, television consumption influence and improved the language power of students. t values were significant for one of the independent variable (Uses of Television) and less significant with Influence of television on youth is significant at 0.005 levels the variable have a coefficient which means that youth behaviour increases with increasing uses of television and to a lesser extent the influence of television.

Base on the findings of the study, the following conclusions were drawn that Parents do not have enough control over TV programs for their children. It was, therefore, recommended that Television sets should be in the T.V lounge and the youngsters should not be allowed to watch the television in their bedrooms where there is no check and balance on them.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.0 Introduction

This chapter introduces the study and demonstrates the need, motivation, and justification for it. It provides the background contexts of the study, statement of the problem, the research objectives, research questions, and hypotheses, as well as the significance of the study.

1.1 Background to the Study

Over time, the mass media have become a strong influence in society, especially on the youth of today. They have the ability to shape the thoughts and views of their audience(s) in various ways. One of such mass media is television, described by scholars such as Vukanovich (2002) as a transitory medium, one that doesn’t require door-to-door circulation, unlike newspapers. According to him, television ‘delivers the world’ into the household, bringing both good and bad influences.

Such influences brought by television on its viewers (including youths) range from cognitive, emotional, attitudinal, and behavioral outcomes (Huston, Wartella, and Donnerstein, 1998). In other words, content on television can inflict effects on youths who are exposed to them in terms of their beliefs, behaviour, thoughts and emotions.

Television daily programs get full attention of the viewers, a huge proportion of them being youths, given such interesting content as serials, music, films, and other shows which are televised on a daily basis (Zubari, 1992).   However, the effects of such content on youths can be either positive or negative.

Television viewing has been found to be informative, entertaining, educative, a means to avoid loneliness, boost confidence as well as aid socialization (Katz, Curevitch, & Haas, 1973; Rosengren & Windahl, Rubin & Rubin, 1985; Riley & Riley, 1951; Wright, Huston & Murphy, 2001). On the other hand, the promotion of violence, sex, immorality as well as negative effects on learning abilities and health of students, include some of the negative influences of television viewing, especially on youths (Christakis, Zimmerman, DiGiuseppe & McCarthy, 2004; Shejwal, 2006; Nielsen, 2004).

Since its advent in Cameroon in 1985 (Bourgault, 1995) television has enjoyed a high level of viewership, with the youthful population highly exposed to its content. Television had a profound impact on society and culture. However, the influence that television viewing has on the youths today, seems to differ largely from that obtained through the 1980s to the early 2000s.

Since the advent of the internet and more precisely social media in the country, youth consumption of television content seems to have dropped relatively. The extent of television viewership amongst youths and its likely influence on their behavior is what this study seeks to uncover.

1.2 Statement of the problem

In recent times, social media seems to have stolen the limelight from all other available mass media given its high usage, especially by youths, who use it for interaction, information, research, and education. As a result, it is very common to find persons attributing behavioral traits in youths (good or bad) to their exposure to these social media platforms.

This researcher, however, posits that despite their high consumption and use of social media, youths also spend considerable time watching television, which also has consequent influences on their behavior. The study, therefore, seeks to uncover the uses that youths in Molyko make of television and its consequent influences (positive and/or negative) on their behavior.

1.3 Research Objectives

This study is guided by the following objectives:

1. To establish what youths in Molyko use television for.
2. To analyze the influence of television on youth behaviour in Molyko.

1.4 Research Questions

In order to meet the objectives stated above, the following two (2) research questions shall be analyzed in the course of this study:

1.4.1 Research Question One (RQ1)

What do youths in Molyko use television for?

1.4.2 Research Question Two (RQ2)

How does television influence youth behaviour in Molyko?