THE INFLUENCE OF AI-GENERATED IMAGES ON SOCIAL MEDIA ON APPEARANCE ANXIETY AMONG UNN UNDERGRADUATES

Abstract

This study investigated the psychological effects of AI-generated pictures on appearance anxiety among undergraduates at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). The study had four objectives, amongst which are: to find out the level of awareness of AI-generated pictures usage among UNN undergraduates, and to ascertain the level of usage of AI-generated pictures among UNN undergraduates. Adopting the survey research design, the study was anchored on three theories: social comparison theory, cultivation theory and media dependency theory. From a population of 35,130 (using the 2022/2023 academic session), a sample size of 380 participants was adopted using the multi-stage sampling technique. The instrument for data collection was the questionnaire. Findings from the study indicate that a high level of awareness of AI-generated pictures among UNN undergraduates exists. It is also found that while awareness of AI-generated pictures is widespread, not all students are utilizing them, possibly due to personal preferences, lack of interest, or concerns about the authenticity of digitally altered images. The study concludes that young adults, particularly those aged 20-24, are increasingly using AI-generated imagery for personal and social expression. To this end, the study made four recommendations, amongst which are: to organize awareness campaigns and workshops to educate UNN undergraduates about the potential impact of AI-generated pictures on their self-perception and mental health, to develop and implement guidelines for responsible social media usage among UNN undergraduates, emphasizing the importance of authentic and realistic online representations.