“ EFFECTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA TO THE MENTAL HEALTH OF SENIOR HIGH

SCHOOL STUDENTS AT ARELLANO UNIVERSITY –

JOSE RIZAL CAMPUS”

A Study Presented to:

Senior High School Department
Arellano University
Jose Rizal High School
Malabon City

In Partial Fulfilment
of the Requirements for
RESEARCH PROJECT

Researchers
Leader: HERNANDEZ, PATRICIA
Members:
ANGELES, ALEXANDER VHAN
BALITA, JOHNROBERT
CABALLERO, JONAS MARK
GALOS, VINCE ARCHIE I.
RAMOS, KENT D.
YANGUAS, ROMMELSON JAMES F.
CRUZ, MITZI FAYE B.
DELOS SANTOS, APPLE S.
MALINAO, SHAIRALYN L.
PASCUAL, KATHLYN ANGEL A.
RODRIGUEZ, MICA F.
TABLANTE, DESIREE JOYCE C.
VILLAMEDEZ, JUSMINE JOY C.

Research Adviser
TORRES, EDGAR D.
 Table of Contents

Page Number
Acknowledgement………………………………………………. 1
Abstract…………………………………………………………… 2
Introduction
Background of the Study………………………………. 3
Statement of the Problem……………………………… 5
Significance of the Study………………………………. 6
Scope and Delimitation…………………………………. 7
Definition of Terms……………………………………… 8
Methodology
Research Design………………………………………… 9
Research Instrument……………………………………. 9
Research Paradigm……………………………………… 10
Treatment of Data………………………………………... 10
Results and Discussion ………………………………………… 11
Conclusion…………………………………………………………. 18
Recommendation…………………………………………………. 19
Reference…………………………………………………………... 20
Appendix A………………………………………………………… 21
Appendix B………………………………………………………… 23
Curriculum Vitae…………………………………………………..
 ACKNOWLEDGMENT

First and foremost, we would like to thank everyone who has been

supportive of us since day one and who has been with us in the darkest of days.

We thank our teachers, classmates, and especially our family for being our

backbones. All of this would not be possible if not for these people:

Mrs. Ma. Aileene D. Cruz, our beloved principal. Our utmost gratitude for

the endless support and for trusting us, the researchers.

Mr. Edgar D. Torres, our subject teacher. We thank you for everything

especially by guiding us all throughout the making of this research paper. Your

unending patience, support, considerations, words of encouragements, and the

lessons you have taught us made all of this possible.

To our co – students, the respondents of this study. We thank you as you

gave your time and effort to answer the questionnaire, which became a tool that

was used for the data of this study.

Above all, the researchers would like to thank our Almighty God for giving

us the strength, courage, and knowledge to finish this research project. We give

all the praises and thanks to You.

 ABSTRACT

This research was conceptualized to analyze the effects of using social

media to the mental health of students. Social Media is a revolutionary concept

with enormous potential for growth. It is a tool formed to be a bridge to

knowledge, communication, and interaction with other individual. Some studies

have shown that social media usage may be beneficial for some people while

other studies show the relevance of social media to negative mental health

outcomes. The main purpose of this study is to find out the positive and negative

effects of social media to Senior High School students at Arellano University

Jose Rizal Campus.

The researchers provided a survey - questionnaire, this questionnaire is

given to 50 respondents from Arellano University – Jose Rizal Campus.

Descriptive method was used on this research. Based on the findings,

communicating with and staying in touch with their loved ones is the positive

effect of social media to the mental health while the negative effect of social

media is that it can be a hotspot for spreading hurtful humor, which can leave a

lasting emotional scar. This research shows that one of the most effective ways

to improve overall mental health is to practice mindfulness while using various

social media platforms.

 INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Social Media affects a lot of people nowadays especially teenagers or

more likely students. Using gadgets and connecting to the media world, they gain

and absorb a lot of information and sometimes news that they might not know

yet. In today’s world, many of us rely on social media platforms such as

Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to find and connect to friends or other people,

and to have communication with each other. Social Media really gave a lot of

impact on people, any age can go to it and any kind of people use it. According

to Mir and Novas (2020), “Most adolescents and young adults use social media.

With 45% of adolescents reporting that they are online “almost constantly,” and

another 44% saying they are online at least several times a day”. The Article

also states that social media benefits students of more likely adolescents by

communicating and seeking information and times that they needed it the most.

However, as social media increases its number of users, it is said to be

that it can affect the mental health of an individual. It can alleviate tension,

anxiety, and depression by being socially associated with other people, but a lack

of social interaction can pose significant risks to mental health. That is why social

media is created. But in a sense, it also harms the mental health of a person.

Some researchers have discovered that strong social media usage may lead to

resentment, jealousy, insecurity. Those who grow up communicating through text

may have social anxiety. A recent international study by LivePerson (2017),

found that 75% of Generation Z and Millennials respondents like to speak to

people via text over in-person. Around 60 percent of 13-17 years old spend more

than two minutes per time on social networking sites. This is somewhat

disturbing, especially for those middle childhood children, nothing is censored on

social media, cussing, and actions that a child or adolescent should not see.

Some developers warned them that social media can be addicting. The American

Academy of medicine has warned about the possibility of harmful outcomes of

social media in young users, including cyber-bullying. But these similar risks

remain even for adults, across generations. (Walton, A. G., Jun,2017)

In today’s generation wherein the world is dramatically being modernized

and surrounded by different social media platforms, the researchers want to

know if social media truly contributes an immense impact on the behavior,

psychological and emotional state of an individual. This research aims to provide

an overview of the positive and negative effects of social media on the mental

health of students at Arellano University – Jose Rizal Campus.

Statement of the Problem

The researchers aim to know the effects of social media on the mental health of

the students. Specifically, the researcher seeks to answer the following

questions:

1. Demographic Profile of the Respondents, in terms of:

1.1 Age

1.2 Gender

1.3 Grade Level

1.4 Strand

2. What social media platform do students use the most?

2.1 Facebook

2.2 Twitter

2.3 Instagram

2.4 Tiktok

3. How often do students spend time using social media?

4. What are the effects of social media on metal health?

4.1 Positive Effects

4.2 Negative Effects

5.How to reduce of using social media to make mental health better?

Significance of the Study

The result of this study may be beneficial to the following:

STUDENTS. The results may be beneficial to students for the reason that they

are the majority of users of social media. They will be able to lessen their usage

of something that can be addicting which can possibly affect their mental health.

However, social media is not all about negativity, they can develop their skills by

searching and learn things they are curious about.

PARENTS. Each parent of our society will become aware of how deteriorating

and helpful social media to their child's daily routine. The tools, tips, and

resources in this guide can help ensure that the use of social media by young

people strengthens their personal social network and have an effect on

their general mental wellness.

TEACHERS. The results may help them widen their field of teaching. They will

know the effects of social media and develop it to a form where their students will

be able to learn. This study will inform them that social media is not bad at all, but

it can be a lot of help for our society and for the future generation. But teachers

also need to understand the full impact of social media use by adolescents and

teens, especially the risks these services pose on their mental health.

NETIZENS. This research will give them knowledge about one of the factors that

affect their mental health. Thus, they can make use of social media appropriately

and cautiously
Scope and Delimitation

The study is quantitative in nature and is focused on determining the

positive and negative effects of social media on the mental health of students

among the selected Grade 11 and Grade 12 students at Arellano University–

Jose Rizal Campus. The study will be delimited to fifty (50) respondents - twenty

- five (25) students from Grade 11 and twenty - five (25) students from Grade 12.

The respondents will be chosen by applying the purposive sampling method on

the aforementioned population who are all enrolled in said university during the

academic year 2020 – 2021.

Definition of Terms
Alleviate – to make (something, such as pain or suffering) more bearable; to
partially remove or correct (something undesirable)

Cussing – profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger; evil or

misfortune that comes as if in response to imprecation or as retribution

Deteriorating – becoming progressively worse; the action or process of

becoming impaired or inferior in quality, functioning, or condition

Mental Heath – person’s condition with regard to their psychological and

emotional well - being

Modernized – adapt (something) to modern needs or habits, typically by

installing modern equipment or adopting modern ideas or methods

Resentment – a feeling of indignant displeasure or persistent ill will at something

regarded as a wrong, insult, or injury; irritation; displeasure

Social Anxiety – (also called social phobia) an intense, persistent fear of being
watched and judge and negatively evaluated by others.
 METHODOLOGY

Research Design

Research design can be considered as a structure of research. In this

study about the effects of social media to the mental health of students,

descriptive method research design was used. Descriptive research includes

identifying, documenting, evaluating and explaining the current existence of

phenomena or processes that concentrate on prevailing circumstances or how

an individual is behaving in the present.

Research Instrument

The instrument used by the researchers in gathering research data

is survey questionnaire. It consists of different questions aligned with the topic

being studied. The purpose of conducting this survey questionnaire is to gather

information that is necessarily needed to come up with a valid interpretation.

The respondents are from Grade 11 and Grade 12 students from Arellano

University – Jose Rizal Campus and chosen through applying the purposive

sampling method.
Research Paradigm

Conceptual Framework

The conceptual framework of the study illustrates the paradigm presented

through the Input-Process-Output model.

PROCES
- INPUT OUTPUT
S
INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

Student’s Profile
-Data Gathering
Age
through Improving student’s
Gender Questionnaire mental health by

Grade Level -Presentation, reducing the use of

Analysis and
Strand social media
Interpretation of
The Effects of Social platforms
Data
Media to the Mental
Health of Senior High
School Students at
Arellano University –
Jose Rizal Campus
-Positive
-Negative

Table 1. The Paradigm of the Study

Treatment of Data

To analyze the accumulated information, the researchers have the

accompanying statistical methods:

1. Percentage:

(%) P = F/N X 100

Where:

% = percentage of distribution

F = total number of responses

N = total number of respondents

 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
This chapter presents the data collected from the respondents through the

questionnaire distributed by the researchers. The data were interpreted in tabular

form and were given in-depth analysis.

TABLE 1. DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE OF THE RESPONDENTS

TABLE 1.1 AGE

Age Frequency Percentage Rank

17 years old 28 56% 1
16 years old and 12 24% 2

below
18 years old 8 16% 3
19 years old and 2 4% 4

above
Total: 50 100%

Table 1.1 shows the frequency and percentage of the respondents

according to age. Ranked 1 is age 17 which has a frequency of 28 equivalent to

56%. Ranked 2 is age 16 and below which has a frequency of 12 equivalent to

24%. Ranked 3 is age 18 which has a frequency of 8 equivalent to 16%. Ranked

4 is age 19 and above which has a frequency of 2 equivalent to 4%. The data

revealed that the majority of the respondents came from the age range of 17

years old.
 TABLE 1.2 GENDER

Gender Frequency Percentage Rank

Female 25 50% 1

Male 25 50% 1

Total: 50 100%

Table 1.2 shows the frequency and percentage of the respondents

according to gender. Both females and males are in ranked 1 with a frequency of

25 equivalent to 50%. The data revealed that there are equal male and female

respondents.

TABLE 1.3 GRADE LEVEL

Grade Level Frequency Percentage Rank

Grade 11 25 50% 1

Grade 12 25 50% 1

Total: 50 100%

Table 1.3 shows the frequency and percentage of the respondents

according to grade level. Both grade 11 and grade 12 are ranked 1 with the

frequency of 25 equivalent to 50%. The data revealed that there are equal grade

11 and grade 12 respondents.

 TABLE 1.4 STRAND

Strand Frequency Percentage Rank

HUMSS 10 20% 1
STEM 8 16% 2
ABM 8 16% 2
ICT 8 16% 2

HE 8 16% 2

GAS 8 16% 2

Total: 50 100%

Table 1.4 shows the frequency and percentage of the respondents

according to strand. Ranked 1 is the HUMSS strand which has a frequency of 10

equivalent to 20%. All the remaining strands including STEM, ABM, ICT, HE,

AND GAS are ranked 2 which has a frequency of 8 equivalent to 16%. The data

revealed that the majority of the respondents came from the HUMSS strand.
 TABLE 2. MOST USED SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM

Most Used Social Media Frequency Percentage Rank

Platform
Facebook 37 74% 1
Tiktok 8 16% 2
Twitter 4 8% 3
Instagram 1 2% 4
Others 0 0% 5
Total: 50 100%

Table 2 shows the frequency and percentage of the most used social
media platform. Ranked 1 is "Facebook" with a frequency of 37 equivalent to
74%. Ranked 2 is "Tiktok" with a frequency of 8 equivalent to 16%. Ranked 3 is
"Twitter" with a frequency of 4 equivalent to 8%. Ranked 4 is "Instagram" with a
frequency of 1 equivalent to 2%. Ranked 5 "others" has no response that
resulted in 0%. The findings of the study showed that Facebook is the most used
social media platform.

TABLE 3. TIME SPENT IN USING SOCIAL MEDIA

Time Spent in Using Frequency Percentage Rank

Social Media
More than 5 hours a day 30 60% 1
1 - 3 hours a day 10 20% 2
3 - 5 hours a day 6 12% 3
Less than an hour a day 4 8% 4
Total: 50 100%

Table 3 shows the frequency and percentage of the time spent by the
respondents in using social media. Ranked 1 "More than 5 hours a day" with a
frequency of 30 equivalent to 60%. Ranked 2 "1-3 hours a day" with a frequency
of 10 equivalent to 20%. Ranked 3 "3-5 hours a day" with a frequency of 6
equivalent to 12%. Ranked 4 "Less than an hour a day" with a frequency of 4
equivalent to 8%. The findings of the study showed that the majority of the
respondents spend more than 5 hours a day using social media.
 TABLE 4. EFFECTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON MENTAL HEALTH
4.1 POSITIVE EFFECTS

Positive Effects Frequency Percentage Rank

Communicate and stay up 27 54% 1
to date with love ones and
family around the world.
Find new friends and 8 16% 2
communities; network with
other people who share
similar interests or
ambitions in life.
Seek or offer emotional 8 16% 2
support during tough times.
Social media helps to join 7 14% 3
or promote worthwhile
causes; raise awareness
on mental health issues.
Others 0 0% 4

Total: 50 100%

Table 4.1 shows the frequency and percentage of the positive effects of

social media on the mental health of students. Ranked 1 "Communicate and stay

up to date with love ones and family around the world" with a frequency of 27

equivalent to 54%. Both in ranked 2 are "Find new friends and communities;

network with other people who share similar interest or ambitions in life" and

"Seek or offer emotional support during tough times" with a frequency of 8

equivalent to 16%. Ranked 3 "Social media helps to join or promote worthwhile

causes; raise awareness on mental health issues" with a frequency of 7

equivalent to 14%. Ranked 5 "others" has no response that resulted in 0%. The

findings of the study showed that communicating and staying up to date with their
 loved ones is the most positive effect of social media on the mental health of the

majority of the respondents

TABLE 4.2 NEGATIVE EFFECTS

Table 4.2 shows the frequency and percentage of the negative effects of
Negative Effects Frequency Percentage Rank
Social Media platforms can be
hotspots for spreading hurtful 29
rumors, lies, and abuse that can 58% 1
leave lasting emotional scars.
Inadequacy about your life or
appearance (feel insecure about 12
how you look or what’s going on 24% 2
in your own life.)
Social media increases rather
than decreases feelings of 6 12% 3
loneliness.
Increased risk for depression and 3 6% 4
anxiety.
Others 0 0% 5

Total: 50 100%

social media on the mental health of students. Ranked 1 "Social Media platforms

can be hotspots for spreading hurtful rumors, lies, and abuse that can leave

lasting emotional scars" with a frequency of 29 equivalent to 58%. Ranked 2

"Inadequacy about your life or appearance (feel insecure about how you look or

what's going on in your own life.)" with a frequency of 12 equivalent to 24%.

Ranked 3 "Social media increases rather than decreases feelings of loneliness"

with a frequency of 6 equivalent to 12%. Ranked 4 "Increased risk for depression

and anxiety" with a frequency of 3 equivalent to 6%. Ranked 5 "others" has no

response that resulted in 0%. The findings of the study showed that the most

negative effect of social media on the majority of respondents is that it can be

 hotspots for spreading hurtful humors, lies and abuse that can leave lasting

emotional scars on their mental health.

TABLE 5. WAYS TO REDUCE OF USING SOCIAL MEDIA TOIMPROVE

MENTAL HEALTH
Table 5 shows the frequency and percentage of ways to reduce using
Ways to Reduce of Using Frequency Percentage Rank
Social Media To improve
Mental Health
Practicing mindfulness which 35 70% 1
can learn to live more in the
present moment and improve
your overall mental wellbeing.
Turning off notifications can help 8 16% 2
you regain control of your time
and focus.
Use an app to track how much 7 14% 3
time you spend on social media
each day.
Don’t bring your phone or tablet 0 0% 4
to bed
Others 0 0% 4

Total: 50 100%

social media to improve mental health. Ranked 1 "Practicing mindfulness which

can learn to live more in the present moment and improve your overall mental

wellbeing" with a frequency of 35 equivalent to 70%. Ranked 2 "Turning off

notifications can help you regain control of your time and focus" with a frequency

of 8 equivalent to 16%. Ranked 3 "Use an app to track how much time you spend

on social media each day" with a frequency of 7 equivalent to 14%. Ranked 4 are

"Don't bring your phone or tablet to bed" and "others". Both have no responses

which resulted in 0%. The findings of the study showed that the majority of the
respondents chose practicing mindfulness in using social media to improve their

overall mental wellbeing.

CONCLUSIONS
Based on the significant findings of this study, the following

conclusions were drawn:

1. The majority of the respondents are from the age range of 17 years old and

both female and male repondents. Most of students are from Grade 11 and

Grade 12 HUMSS strand.

2. In comparison to other social media platforms such as Tiktok, Twitter, and

Instagram, the majority of respondents prefer Facebook.

3. The majority of respondents spend more than 5 hours per day on social

media.

4. The positive effect of social media on mental health is that it allows

respondents to communicate with and stay in touch with their loved ones. On the

other hand, the respondents' negative experience with social media is that it can

be a hotspot for spreading hurtful humor, which can leave a lasting emotional

scar on their mental health.

5. One of the most effective ways to improve overall mental health is to practice

mindfulness while using various social media platforms.

 RECOMMENDATIONS

The following recommendations are hereby presented:

STUDENTS – should develop productive habits that will allow them to improve

their skills and knowledge. They should be aware of the consequences of

incorporating social media into their lives. Furthermore, they should remain in an

environment where their mental health is prioritized, not just because it is the

societal norm.

PARENTS – must guide and limit their children's internet use, such as setting a

time limit. They should also explain how to use social media responsibly so that it

can be used appropriately.

TEACHERS – should also determine whether their students' and their situations

are mutually beneficial. They should make suggestions to help students cope

with stress or emotional breakdowns as they enter adolescence. In order to raise

awareness, they should also hold seminars and provide counseling on the

subject.

NETIZENS – should be careful with what they post and share on social media

platforms to prevent harm to other users. Instead, they must use social media to

spread good news and raise awareness about mental health issues.

FUTURE RESEARCHERS - must continue to expand and broaden the

knowledge and information that is relevant to this study.

 REFERENCES

 Bashir H., Bhat S. (2017). Effects of Social Media on Mental Health: A

Review

 Berryman C., Ferguson C., Negy C. (2017). Social Media Use and Mental

Health among Young Adults

 LivePerson (2017). Examining Gen Z and Millennial Digital Habits

 Walton, A. G. (2017). 6 Ways Social Media Affects Our Mental Health

 Legg, Ph. D (2018). Social Anxiety Disorder

 Glazzard J., Stones S. (2019). Social Media and young people’s mental

health

 Mir E., Novas C., Seymour M. (2020). Social Media and Adolescents’ and

Young Adults’ Mental Health

 Priya K. (2020). Impact of Social Media on Mental Health of Students

 Mental Health in America – Glossary and Citations (n.d.)

 APPENDIX A

Questionnaire

Name (Optional): Gender:

Gr./Strand/Section: Age:

Directions: Choose your answer on the questions below.

1. What social media platform do you use most frequently? (Choose only 1

answer)

a. Facebook c. Tiktok Others:

b. Instagram d. Twitter

2. How often do you spend time using social media? (Choose only 1 answer)

a. Less than an hour a day c. 3 -5 hours a day

b. 1- 3 hours a day d. More than 5 hours a day

3. What are the effects of social media on mental health?

3.1 Positive Effects (Choose only 1 answer)
a. Communicate and stay up to date with love ones and family around the world.

b. Find new friends and communities; network with other people who share

similar interest or ambitions in life.

c. Seek or offer emotional support during tough times.

d. Social media helps to join or promote worthwhile causes; raise awareness on

mental health issues.

Others:

3.2 Negative Effects (Choose only 1 answer)

a. Increased risk for depression and anxiety.

b. Inadequacy about your life or appearance (feel insecure about how you look or

what is going on in your own life)

c. Social Media platforms can be hotspots for spreading hurtful rumors, lies, and

abuse that can leave lasting emotional scars.

d. Social media increases rather than decreases feelings of loneliness.

Others:

4. How to reduce of using social media to make mental health better?

(Choose only 1 answer)

a. Use an app to track how much time you spend on social media each day.

b. Don’t bring your phone or tablet to bed.

c. Turning off notifications can help you regain control of your time and focus.

d. Practicing mindfulness which can learn to live more in the present moment and

improve your overall mental wellbeing.

Others:
 APPENDIX B
A. Tally Sheet of Survey Questionnaire
MOST USED SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM

Most Used Social Media Frequency Percentage Rank

Platform
Facebook 37 74% 1
Tiktok 8 16% 2
Twitter 4 8% 3
Instagram 1 2% 4

Others 0 0% 5

Total: 50 100%

TIME SPENT IN USING SOCIAL MEDIA

Time Spent in Using Frequency Percentage Rank

Social Media
More than 5 hours a day 30 60% 1
1 - 3 hours a day 10 20% 2
3 - 5 hours a day 6 12% 3
Less than an hour a day 4 8% 4

Total: 50 100%
 EFFECTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON MENTAL HEALTH

POSITIVE EFFECTS

Positive Effects Frequency Percentage Rank

Communicate and stay up 27 54% 1
to date with love ones and
family around the world.
Find new friends and 8 16% 2
communities; network with
other people who share
similar interests or
ambitions in life.
Seek or offer emotional 8 16% 2
support during tough times.
Social media helps to join 7 14% 3
or promote worthwhile
causes; raise awareness
on mental health issues.
Others 0 0% 4

Total: 50 100%

NEGATIVE EFFECTS
 Negative Effects Frequency Percentage Rank
Social Media platforms
can be hotspots for 58% 1
spreading hurtful rumors, 29
lies, and abuse that can
leave lasting emotional
scars.
Inadequacy about your
life or appearance (feel 24% 2
insecure about how you 12
look or what’s going on in
your own life.)
Social media increases
rather than decreases 12% 3
feelings of loneliness. 6

Increased risk for 3 6% 4

depression and anxiety.
Others 0 0% 5

Total: 50 100%

WAYS TO REDUCE OF USING SOCIAL MEDIA TOIMPROVE MENTAL

HEALTH
 Ways to Reduce of Frequency Percentage Rank
Using Social Media to
improve Mental Health
Practicing mindfulness 35 70% 1
which can learn to live
more in the present
moment and improve
your overall mental
wellbeing.
Turning off notifications 8 16% 2
can help you regain
control of your time and
focus.
Use an app to track how 7 14% 3
much time you spend on
social media each day.
Don’t bring your phone 0 0% 4
or tablet to bed
Others 0 0% 4

Total: 50 100%