This study examined peer influence and social networking as correlates of internet use among undergraduate students in Enugu State, South East Nigeria. Specifically, the study sought to determine the relationship between: peer influence and internet use among undergraduates; and social networking and internet use among undergraduates. To achieve these objectives, the study adopted correlation survey design. The population of the study consisted of 44,152 undergraduates, while a sample of 1,199 undergraduates was used for the study. Two researcher developed questionnaires were used for data collection. The instruments were face validated by experts in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, while their internal consistency was established using Cronbach Alpha. The findings indicate that there is significant positive relationship between the abovementioned social factors and internet use among undergraduate students. Based on these findings, the study made some policy recommendations, among which are that lecturers should discharge their duties as academic advisers and counsellors effectively while parents should monitor their children closely to ensure that they are not exposed to excessive internet use arising from the aforementioned social factors.

Key words: Peer influence; Social networking; Internet use; Undergraduate students; Correlation survey