An investigation of the use of social media among students with visual impairments in Zambian secondary schools: a case of selected secondary schools for the blind in Zambia.

This study examined the use of social media among students with visual impairments in three selected secondary schools located in three provinces of Zambia. The specific objectives of the study were: 1) to explore the extent to which students with visual impairment used social media; 2) to determine the types of social media platforms mostly used by students with visual impairment; 3) to establish reasons why students with visual impairment engage in using social media; and 4) to establish the impact of social media on the social life of students with visual impairment and 5) to identify the challenges that students with visual impairment face when using social media. This was a case study of three selected schools in Zambia namely: Ndola Lions School, Magweru Secondary School and Munali Secondary school. The questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample of 78 Visually Impaired (VI) pupils conveniently selected from the three schools. Data was analysed using SPSS version 25. The study findings revealed that students were engaged in social media and they used it several times a day. The study found that the commonly used social media platforms in their order of frequency included WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. The study also established that VI students engage in social media for various reasons ranging from accessing and sharing information, socialising with friends and family and facilitating schoolwork. It was clear from the study findings that social media use has had a positive impact on the social life of students with visual impairment. The study also identified several challenges that visually impaired (VI) pupils face when using social media. This study recommends that there was need for stakeholders in the education sector to find innovative ways to promote the use of social media among visually impaired (VI) students in institutions of learning for promoting educational purposes.
Keywords: Impact, Socia media, Use, VI pupils, Social media platforms.