Influence of Social Media on National Security in Kenya, 2014-2022

Technological advancements have transformed every sphere of human life. The advent of technology and social media has improved interaction and communication between people. This is because social media offers a fast and a cheap means of interacting and sharing information. Freedom of expression allows one to hold their own opinions and to express them freely. However, availability and convenience of social media, coupled up with freedom of expression and the inability to differentiate between real and fake information on social media has contributed to the irresponsibility in conveyance of information on social media. This study explores to what extent does social media compromise national security. Using the social responsibility theory, the agenda setting theory and the technological determinism theory, the research explains how irresponsibility in social media influences the national security in Kenya. This was a descriptive study. The study findings indicated that the correlation between social media and national security in Kenya was positive and significant. Therefore, social media can pose a national security threat. People used social media to spread propaganda hate speech. Terrorist groups used social media to radicalize youth. The study findings revealed that there was inadequate technology and equipment for social media use to curb crime. It is a recommendation of this study that the police fully enforce the anti-terrorism law requirement which involves the use of social media to detect, monitor and prevent terrorism activities. The study also recommends more public sensitization on human rights and freedoms and their responsibilities. Lastly, the study recommends a review of the cybercrime act of 2018, to amend the loopholes which make it hard to fully implement the law.