SOCIAL NETWORKING AS A SOURCE OF LITERACY DEVELOPMENT AMONG OUT-OF-SCHOOL CHILDREN IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This paper investigated the impacts of social networking as a source of literacy development among out-of-school children in Nigeria. In doing this, literature relevant to out-of-school children in Nigeria and social networking was reviewed, within which the essence of the present investigation was underpinned. Again, reasons were advanced concerning the increasing out-of-school population in Nigeria. Then, the paper further highlighted literacy development in the context of social networking on the basis of previous empirical claims, thereby establishing the positive impacts of social networking on learners’ literacy development, involving both in-school and out-of-school children. Finally, the paper explored specific functional social networking facets that could bridge literacy gaps among out-of-school children, such as via the potentials of such technologies to educational resources; potentials to provide literacy practice and feedback; the potentials to provide social support and motivation; and the potentials to provide personalised learning and adaptability. Based on these accounts, it was concluded that social networking could be a valuable tool for bridging literacy deficits among the out-of-school population in Nigeria.