This research provides insight into the use of social networks and social media by students at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. The primary purpose of this research is to investigate student social media practices at NMMU to establish the reasons for students engaging in social media. A growing number of educators acknowledge the potential of social networking to (re)engage learners with their studies, while others fear that such practices compromise and disrupt student engagement with traditional education provision (Selwyn, 2009). This study, therefore, aims to identify how and for what reasons students use social networks and social media. This study attempts to provide answers to the following research questions: For which social networking sites do students register and actively engage in? What is the most popular social networking site for students? How often do students engage in social media practices? What is the main purpose for students engaging in social media practices? How do students gain access to social media? For what educational purposes can social media be used? For which business purposes can social media be used? Do students use social media to collaborate with peers and lecturers? Do students use social media to make buying decisions? The literature overview was conducted on social media and social networks from journals and books published between the periods 2003 to 2011 as the popularity of social media came to the forefront during this period. Topics researched included social networks and libraries, educational and business uses of social networking and social media. A quantitative study was considered to be most appropriate to conduct the research for this study; and non-probability sampling was the most appropriate given the size of the population and the nature of this research. xiv Students were invited to participate in the research by completing and submitting a survey questionnaire at the conclusion of their lectures in the second semester during the month of September. The data collected was then analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics to provide insight into student use of social media. The results would determine if relationships exist between the independent variables from the questionnaire, namely, age, gender, campus and course enrolment and the dependent factors, namely, usage, information exchange and security. This relationship would be determined for both the perceptions of social networking in general and the perceptions of NMMU social networking. These results are then used to identify further areas of research in the future. The majority of the population sample was between the ages of 17 and 21 and primarily females. The sample typically became aware of social media by means of word-of-mouth and accesses their social networking site/s more than five times a day. The main reason for registering and joining social networking sites was for social purposes. Furthermore, the sample used social networking sites for entertainment, social involvement, meeting new friends and maintaining relationships. The sample agreed that social networking makes information searching easier. The majority of the sample indicated that they were not registered on any NMMU Social Networking sites of the university or any faculty, department or unit social networking sites at the NMMU. However, it was clear that the majority of students was registered on social networking sites of some sort and would continue to use social networking and social media. The results from the study indicated that the mean value for the perceptions of social media in general were greater than that of the perceptions of NMMU social media in terms of usage. Likewise, the mean value for the perceptions of social networking in general was also greater than that of the perceptions of NMMU Social Networking for information exchange but the difference were very small. However, the mean value for the perceptions of NMMU Social Networking showed a greater mean value than that of the perceptions of social networking in general in terms of security. This means that respondents used social networking in general more than NMMU Social Networking. xv However, the respondents perceived NMMU Social Networking sites to be more secure than social networking sites in general. The results of this study could provide Higher Education Institutions in South Africa with the impetus to use social networks and social media to enhance students‟ learning experiences.

The Internet has shifted from the Web 1.0 era to the Web 2.0 era. In the contemporary era of web 2.0, the Internet is being used to build and reflect social relationships among people who share similar interests and activities. This is done through services such as Social Networking Sites (Facebook, Twitter etc.) and the web blogs. Currently, there is a very high usage of Social Networking Sites (SNSs) and blogs where people share their views, opinions, and thoughts. This leads to the production of a lot of data by people who post such content on SNSs. As a result, SNSs and blogs become the ideal platforms for opinion monitoring and the trend analysis. These SNSs and Blogs could be used by service providers for tracking what the public thinks or requires. The reason being, having such knowledge can help in decision making and future planning. If service providers can keep track of such views, opinions or thoughts with regard to the services they provide, they can better their understanding about the public or clients’ needs and improve the provision of relevant services. This research project presents a system prototype for performing opinion monitoring and trend analysis on Facebook. The proposed system crawl Facebook, indexes the data and provides user interface (UI) where end users can search and see the trending of a topics of their choice. The system prototype could also be used to check the trending topics without having to search. The main objective of this research project was to develop a framework that will contribute in improving the way government officials, companies or any service providers and normal citizens communicate regarding services they provide. This research project is premised on the conceptualization that if the government officials, companies or any service providers can keep track of the citizen’s opinions, views and thoughts with regards to services they provide it can help improve the delivery of such services. This research and the implementation of the trend analysis tool is undertaken in the context of the Siyakhula Living Lab (SLL), an Information and Communication Technologies for Development (ICTD) intervention for Dwesa marginalized community.

The aim of the qualitative study was to explore the phenomenon of social networking and the possible influences it could have on adolescents‟ way of interacting socially. The study was conducted from a gestalt perspective and also incorporated aspects of developmental theory. Learners (12-18 years old) from a high school in the northern suburbs of Cape Town participated in semi-structured interviews voluntarily. Parents and teachers also participated in the study by forming part of focus groups. The study indicated that although social networking is a beneficial social tool for adolescents, it could become an obstacle during social interaction which is not mediated through an electronic or mobile network. From the study it can be concluded that social networking is a positive social tool, which could become dangerous for adolescents‟ social interaction abilities when used inappropriately. / Social Work / M. Diac. (Play Therapy)

The aim of the qualitative study was to explore the phenomenon of social networking and the possible influences it could have on adolescents‟ way of interacting socially. The study was conducted from a gestalt perspective and also incorporated aspects of developmental theory. Learners (12-18 years old) from a high school in the northern suburbs of Cape Town participated in semi-structured interviews voluntarily. Parents and teachers also participated in the study by forming part of focus groups. The study indicated that although social networking is a beneficial social tool for adolescents, it could become an obstacle during social interaction which is not mediated through an electronic or mobile network. From the study it can be concluded that social networking is a positive social tool, which could become dangerous for adolescents‟ social interaction abilities when used inappropriately. / Social Work / M. Diac. (Play Therapy)

Recent innovations and advances in information and communication technologies (ICTs) have resulted into radical changes in the way information resources are provided, and have also brought about several options to handle a wide-range of information services effortlessly. Web 2.0 or social media is one of these innovations which expands the option in information services provision. Against this backdrop, this study intended to investigate the use of Web 2.0 technologies in the public libraries in the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality in South Africa. The study was guided by mixed-methods of quantitative and qualitative approaches, because the approach enables the researcher to cover a wide variety of issues. The study adopted a sample survey research design to guide selection of subjects. Two data collection tools namely: a self-administered questionnaire were used for collecting data from 248 library users, while unstructured interview schedules were used to collect qualitative data from 16 library officials. The response rate for the survey of library users was 69%, a good rate for an unsolicited survey. The findings revealed that Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality libraries have ICT equipment with access to Web 2.0 technologies and that these technologies are also highly utilised. However, lack of training, low bandwidth, and short time allowed to access WIFI makes it difficult for the library users and staff to fully benefit from the web-based services offered by these libraries. Other factors include poor staff attitudes, technical problems, and challenges in marketing of online public access and catalogue, restrictions of social networking sites, non-linkage of the library OPAC to social media, geographical distances, and load shedding. The study concluded by recommending allocation of sufficient funds to cater for ICT trainings, free WIFI, uninterrupted power supply, increased bandwidth, amongst others which will enhance the quick and effective service that will meet the information needs of their users. / Information Science / M.A. (Information Science)

The study investigates the influence of online and social media in HIV prevention, with a focus on young women and HIV risk perception related to age-disparate relationships. The study was conducted using an existing online prevention HIV prevention platform by means of a self-administered online questionnaire. Convenience sampling was used to recruit between 250 and 500 users between the ages of 18 to 24 years. The results revealed poor HIV risk perception in 46% of respondents, which seemed influenced by their perception (38%) that older men are safer sexual partners than younger men. In addition, this poor risk perception is seemingly influenced by the fact that many young women (77%) involved in these relationships, viewed these as primarily based on love and affection and as being “safe”, challenging the commonly held perception that these are primarily transactional in nature. Further respondents reported at rates of between 38% and 44% that the platform had improved their HIV risk perception related to these relationships. In summary, the research resulted in several recommendations to improve the platform, including improving ways of getting more and on-going feedback from users on their HIV risk perceptions and designing content and engagement strategies to address these. / Sociology / M. A. (Social Behaviour Studies in (HIV/AIDS)

The aim of this research is to shed more light on an aspect identified as a gap in knowledge in the literature; the use of a social networking service as knowledge sharing platform. More specifically, this research sets out to establish if the social networking service Twitter could be used as knowledge-sharing platform in small South African businesses in the Western Cape. A mixed method research design is used. This includes gathering data through questionnaires as well as conducting semi-structured interviews for case study participants. The sample comprises 122 questionnaire participants together with 14 semi-structured interview participants across three small businesses located in the Western Cape Province. Although it is apparent from the study conducted that small businesses are not yet willing to forego traditional platforms such as Email to use Twitter exclusively as a knowledge sharing tool, the researcher proposes a case for using Twitter, which he believes, could take the most advantage of the functions Twitter brings to a small business operation. / School of Computing / M. Sc. (Computing)

The use of cellphones has increased all over the world. That invites many academics to conduct research on the usage of these devices, especially by young people, since young people join Social Network Sites (Facebook, Mxit, 2go, Whatsapp) and use a shorthand language. Most studies are related to the use of English and other languages that are recognised by computer software. There are few studies, if any, that have been done in relation to the use of African Languages on these sites. This research therefore aims to seek to explore the use of African Languages, especially isiXhosa, in assessing how technology might help in language development through the usage of SNSs that learners already use to equip them with educational material in their mother tongue. This study was conducted in two high schools, Nogemane Senior Secondary School in a disadvantaged and remote rural community with limited access to additional educational material such as magazines, newspapers, and television. The school also lacks basic study materials such as textbooks from the Education Department and they have no access to a library and laboratory. They also only have very few subjects to choose from. Nombulelo Senior Secondary School is in Grahamstown. This school has good infrastructure and learners have access to different technological devices and they can access libraries. What is common between learners in both schools is that they are all doing isiXhosa as a first language and are using SNSs to interact with each other. This study has found that learners enjoy using SNSs rather than reading the printed books. Furthermore, they enjoy and prefer interacting in isiXhosa in their conversations. Learners also use the web to post and show their creative writing, regardless of the shorthand form writing they use on the SNSs. This study has found that learners are not well equipped with basic isiXhosa skills when reaching the FET phase. They lack the understanding of standard isiXhosa idioms and proverbs. That clearly means that they are equipped in the more modern forms of literature rather than the traditional oral forms. IsiXhosa teachers also see SNSs as the better platform to engage with learners and they suggest that there must be a section in the subjects at school that teaches about cyber bullying and being safe online. This thesis also presents examples of new and contemporary forms of SNS-speak that are used by learners in both the rural and urban schools. This study is more concerned with SNSs for literacy development and to assess whether the shorthand writing has negative or positive effects in writing isiXhosa. This is done against the backdrop of a literature review which explores new literacies, computer mediated communication, social identity models as well as language policy and planning.