Influence of Social Media on Islamic Religious Practice Among Muslim Youth in Enugu State

This study investigates how social media platforms influence Islamic religious practice among Muslim youth in Enugu State, South East Nigeria. As smartphone penetration deepens and digital content consumption rises among Nigerian youth, the intersection of social media and religious identity has become an increasingly critical area of inquiry. The study adopts a descriptive survey design and administers questionnaires to 200 Muslim youth aged 18 to 30 from five mosques in Enugu metropolis. Focus group discussions were conducted with 24 participants to gather qualitative insights. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis, while qualitative data were subjected to thematic analysis. Results indicate that social media exposure has both positive and negative effects on religious practice. While platforms such as YouTube and WhatsApp have expanded access to Islamic lectures and Quranic resources, they have also introduced competing cultural content that distracts from religious commitments, particularly among male youth. The study recommends that Islamic scholars and educators develop more engaging digital content tailored to the interests of young Muslims and that parents and mosque leaders actively promote responsible social media usage. This research is relevant to Islamic educators, community leaders, and youth development organisations operating in minority Muslim communities in South East Nigeria. Keywords: social media, Islamic practice, Muslim youth, Enugu State, digital religion.