ABSTRACT
Over the years there have been an overwhelming increase in the use of
the Internet by youths all over the world. Information is now at our
finger tip as with just one click, users can access a variety of
information on specific topics of interest. This has led to the
shrinking of boundaries and a polarization of information sources. A
wide variety of issues are now discussed in the public sphere occasioned
by the Internet. Discussion platforms on social network sites have
become avenues for citizens (youths) to interact and share ideas on
pressing matters that affect them. With this development the question
arises as to whether or not the Internet can help citizens enhance their
citizenship. This study therefore explores the place of the Internet in
the enhancement of active and effective citizenship amongst students of
Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria and Bayero University Kano (BUK).
Citizenship in this study is premised on the conception of rights and
freedom. The rights to expression, freedom to associate freely and
express views freely, without being hindered and without infringing on
the rights of others. Employing a Mixed Method research design the study
uses probability sampling techniques to draw a sample of 1000
comprising 700 ABU students and 300 BUK students. Analysing data collect
through Questionnaire (1000 copies), Focus Group Discussion and
Observation methods, the study discovered that: youth exercise their
freedom as citizens on the Net, youths are politically conscious due to
the information they receive from the Net and participate actively as
citizens resulting from the interaction and knowledge generated from the
Net. The study also discovered that the Net also comes with some
negative influences like fraud and misinformation. It concludes by
stating that the Net has a lot of potentials for the enhancement of
citizenship rights and freedom. Thus, if Nigeria must grow as a nation,
citizens must be able to identify groups, spaces, and opportunities that
facilitate youths to actively participate as citizens in influencing
events and changes in the society especially through the Internet.