The Influence of Use of Social Media on Conflict Management; the Case of Kibera Slum, in Nairobi County in Kenya

Abstract

This study was to establish the various factors that influence use of social media in conflict management in Kibera slums, in Nairobi County, in Kenya. It examined how these various factors influenced either positively or negatively the timely intervention during conflicts among the residents. The researcher was guided by the following objectives; to establish the extent to which frequency of use of social media influences conflict management, to assess how the quality of the language used in social media influences conflict management, to establish how immediacy factor of social media influences conflict management, to determine how usability of social media influences conflict management in Kibera slums. This study used descriptive research design under which survey method was used. The sample size of this research was made up of 321 participants. Of this, there were 98 youths between the age of 15 and 19 years, 89 youths between the age of 20 and 24 years, 75 youths between the age of 25 and 29 years and 59 youths between the age of 30 and 34 years. These participants were sampled using purposive sampling and then snowball sampling. This study took place in Kibera slums in the month of October and November the year 2017. The data collection method which was used was questionnaire. The data collected was analyzed using statistical package of social sciences (SPSS) to generate frequency distributions and percentages to assist the researcher in answering the research questions. The findings were that majority of the youths were using social media and have been involved in conflicts. Most of them access their social media accounts on daily basis and at an interval of an hour. The research found out that when quality language is used in social media, the desired result of a successful conflict management will be eminent. The research further found out that CBOs, NGOs and even the government are somewhat making use of social media in conflict management but there is a lot to be done by these organizations to tap the opportunity social media presents when it comes to conflict management. Thus, this study recommends the above organizations to train their staff members on how to efficiently and effectively use social media to manage conflict. On areas of further study, more similar research should be conducted to add to the body of knowledge on the use of social media in conflict management.