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Abstract

For most students in Tanzania and elsewhere, the use of media is an integral part of their daily life, and as such it has been influencing their studies in various ways. This study explores the role of media in promoting knowledge and skills on sexuality to students in higher learning institutions in Tanzania. A mixed method research design informed the study: a cross-sectional survey design informed quantitative data, while the qualitative data was informed by the phenomenological research design. A sample of 300 students was drawn using simple and stratified random sampling, as well as convenient sampling techniques. The quantitative data were analysed to obtain mean, standard deviation and independent t-test statistics; while qualitative data were subjected to thematic analysis. The findings revealed that students highly use media to be informed on sexuality contents. Some of the media so far used were Instagram, radio, television, forums, WhatsApp and Facebook. While on one hand information gained has been helpful in informing about sexuality and its associated risks, on the other it has been exposing students to negative influences, including undesirable sexual behaviours, cyberbullying, and stigmatization. Comparatively, the study shows no significant difference in the deployment of media for surfing sexuality information between male and female students. The study calls for online stakeholders to design messages that are user friendly and sexually educative since the media has proven to be a convenient means for students to learn on sexuality compared to other means

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