Social Competence As Correlates Of Social Network Sites (SNS) Use By Library And Information Science Undergraduates.

ABSTRACT Social competence is the set of skills and behaviours necessary to get along with others and be well-liked in establishing and maintaining satisfactory interpersonal relationships, gain peer acceptance and friendship. Social networking sites are the online platforms that allow users to create a public profile and interact with other users on the website such as Facebook, Instagram, Flickr, Twitter, My Space, Skype etc. The effect of social competence on the use of SNS was the focus of this study. A descriptive research design was adopted while a survey method was employed to elicit information from the respondents for this study. One hundred and ninety-two (192) copies of questionnaires with fifty-four (54) structured questions were distributed among library and information science undergraduates of Tai-Solarin University of Education. The questionnaire sought demographic information of respondents, social networking sites available to the undergraduates, frequency of use of SNS, social competence level on use of SNS and the challenges facing the use of social networking sites (SNS). Data analysis was based on 190 questionnaires as 2 were missing. Among the findings of this study was that majority of the undergraduates are capable of quitting social networking sties if the need arises and they are able to meet the challenges of quitting the use of social networking sites, maintain a healthy Social Networking Sites now and confident in their ability to use social networking sites. This study concluded that extent of the usage of social networking sites by undergraduate students of library and information science favour Facebook, Whatsapp, Google, Youtube, Instagram, Twitter, instant messaging. Keywords: Social Competence, Social Networking Sties, Undergraduates, Library and information Scienc