Adolescents in Africa use social networks for a variety
of purposes ranging from interpersonal connection to
entertainment to research. Research statistics from South
Africa, Egypt and Nigeria reveal interesting patterns of
social media use amongst adolescents. In South Africa,
statistics from the UNICEF report from reveal that 30 % of
adolescents spend time their time chatting on MXit. Basson
et al. (2011: 392) in their research on ‘Techno Generation:
Social Networking amongst South African Youths’ reveal
that youths in South Africa spend time on social networks
for other purposes other than chatting. Their research
reveal that youths also spend time uploading pictures,
posting opinions, obtaining current and social news,
downloading wallpapers, ringtones, soft wares amongst
other activities. El-Gazzar (2011) reveals that adolescents
in Egypt display similar patterns of behavior like their
South African peers. 83 % of the 215 adolescents studied
in Egypt use social networks for chatting, 66 % for
expressing personal opinion, 42 % for the purpose of
research and 43 % for leisure activities like playing games
or listening to music. Idakwo (2011) in his research on
‘The use of Social media among Nigerian Youths’ reveals
that 58 % of Nigerian youths use social networks for
posting messages and chatting, 12 % for updating their
messages and statuses, 12 % for posting and viewing pictures
while 4 % for promoting business (Fig. 1).