A CASE STUDY OF BEHAVIORAL EFFECTS ON SOCIAL MEDIA TO THE

STUDENTS OF LIBERTAD NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL,

BUTUAN CITY DURING 2019-2020

A Practical Research Presented to the Faculty of Senior High School

Libertad Senior High School
Butuan City, Philippines

Jayzel Penalver
Marjorie Tolentino
Patti Mae Dalit
Roland John G. Hontalba
Researchers
 Chapter 1
PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE

This chapter includes introduction, review of related literature, theoretical,

statement of the problem, significance of the study, scope and limitations and definition

of terms used.

1. Introduction

The first known communication tool/technique was the cave painting.

Communication through cave paintings was a very important part of early human society

(Morriss-Kay, 2010). While the importance of communication continues, the worldwide

penetration of computers and the Internet has resulted online mediums where people can

communicate. Classmates.com was the first social networking site, founded in 1995

(Meltzer & Philips, 2009). Nowadays, social media is a tool that is becoming quite

popular these days because of its user-friendly features. Social media platforms like

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and more are giving people a chance to connect with each

other across distances. In other words, the whole world is at our fingertips all thanks to

social media. The youth is especially one of the most dominant users of social media. All

this makes us wonder that something so powerful and with such a massive reach cannot

be all good. Social media influence the behaviors and attitudes of the students or a user

of social media.

1.1 Related research

As social media is about interaction, there is also knowledge management process

where social-learning concept analyzed by Zhang et al. (2015).

 As stated by Schill (2011) that the social media sites encourage negative behaviors

for teen students such as procrastination (catching up with friends), and they are more

likely to drink and drug. There are a number of negative outcomes that are associated

with social media. Negative outcomes may be related to the content posted on social

networking sites. One of the most commonly encountered influences of social media is

cyberbullying. Cyberbullying occurs where an individual maliciously posts false, hostile or

embarrassing information about another person (O’Keeffe and Clarke-Pearson p. 801).

Some of the forms in which cyberbullying manifests include name calling, abusive

comments and rumor spreading (Völlink et al., p. 9). The channels through which these

forms are spread include instant messengers, chat rooms and emails. However, every

day, many students are spending countless hours immersed in social media, such as

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and etc. At first glance this may seem like a

waste of time; however, it also helps students to develop important knowledge and social

skills, and be active citizens who create and share content. At present, whether social

media is favorable or unfavorable, many students utilize these sites on a daily basis. As

social media sites continue to grow in popularity it is our belief that technology is a vital

part of today’s student success equation.

According to Wallace, social media can help teenagers build their confidence. She

cites research findings from child advocacy group Common Sense Media, which reported

that 20% of teenagers reported gaining confidence from social media use as opposed to

4% who reported reduced confidence. Confidence is important especially for teenagers

since during this stage of their lives, they are usually very conscious about their self-

image. Improved confidence means that teenagers are better able to express themselves.
 As studied by Lenhart et al., online spaces promote boldness since teenagers do

not have to worry about physical violence (p. 30). Social media empowers teenagers

since they feel more secure within the online space. These views were also affirmed in

the interview. Participants indicated that on social media, they are more open since they

felt that they were inaccessible.

According to a Nielsen Media Research study, in June 2010, almost 25 percent of

students’ time on the Internet is now spent on social networking websites (Jacobsen, &

Forste, 2011). Facebook is the most used social network by the students, followed by

YouTube and Twitter. Moreover, Facebook alone reports that it now has 500 active

million users, 50% of whom log on every day. In addition, according to a study by Online

PhD, students spend roughly 100 minutes per day on Facebook. In 2007, the number of

students who used Facebook was already enormous: 92 percent of college students had

an account. By 2008, 99 percent of students had an account on Facebook. That is quite a

large amount considering the service was only opened in 2006 to everyone.

In addition, Kimball and Rheingold (2003) and Krasnova et al. (2008) concluded

that using social networking sites (e.g. Facebook and MySpace) improves consumer

satisfaction and could minimize depression if Facebook jealousy is regulated (Tandoc,

Ferrucci, & Duffy, 2015). It's also suggested, that using social networks can overwhelm

people (Błachnio, Przepiorka, & Pantic, 2015). Sites on social networks can have a

negative impact on children and adolescents, especially in mental health, as there are

victims of peer-related negative comments, but many are also victims of strangers.

Human behavior changes the more we dabble in technology especially on social

media, according to Acevedo (2017). Besides the fact that most people in today's world
use the Web in their daily lives, social networks are also a common forum for interacting

and engaging with the world as a whole. We're a product of the environment, after all.

Social media now influences relationships, shopping decisions, good humor and even

study habits. Originally, these social networks tend to endorse existing social connections

that we already have, but as the years go by, other social media platforms were created

that allowed people to meet and be friends with complete strangers apart from those in

which they already have offline relationships. Human behavior is so versatile that it helps

people to easily adapt to different situations but this characteristic sometimes does more

harm than good. If people change who they are to fit in with what culture says they ought

to be, that's when things begin to become a problem.

In fact, human behavior shifted along with the emergence of the Internet and social

media. People are always checking on their social media accounts on their smartphones

or apps that they often confuse the virtual reality for real life. In fact, people usually just

show the public the good side of their lives but in reality life is not a bed of roses. Our way

comes with struggles and obstacles, but we often bottle it up to give others the impression

that our life is fine. In that way, social media affects human behavior negatively. The key

here is to use it in moderation knowing how many people often lose themselves when

using it. Even too much of a good thing can still be bad for you.

 People adopt unique personas for different social networking sites such as

Facebook or LinkedIn, a team of researchers, including an Indian-origin researcher, have

found. For example, the research showed that women were less likely to wear corrective

eyewear, like reading glasses, in their profile pictures and users under the age of 25 were

less likely to be smiling in their profile picture. The researchers do not believe that users
are explicitly modifying their profile, but rather subconsciously adapt the behavior

modelled to fit in. Despite our best efforts, we do still stereotypes of gender and age in the

way we tailor our personas. In social media era, without realizing it, people are leaving

marks. If we can tap into these digital footprints, then we can learn a lot about the human

behavior.

Prior research has shown that social media use can detract from face-to-face

interactions, decrease participation in meaningful activities, increase sedentary activity

through promoting more screen time, contribute to internet addiction and erode self-

esteem by unfavorable social comparison. Self-comparison can have a strong influence

on human behavior, and since people tend to show the most positive aspects of their lives

on social media, it is possible for an individual to assume that their own lives are negative

in contrast to what others see portrayed. But some skeptics have wondered if people with

lower well-being are more likely to use social media rather than having lower well-being

on the social media. In addition, other studies have found that the use of social media has

a positive effect on well-being through increased social interaction and the improvement

of real-world ties.

Research suggests that most social networks primarily support pre-existing social

relations. For the most part, Facebook is used to maintain existing offline relationships or

solidify offline connections, as opposed to meeting new people. These relationships may

be weak ties, but typically there is some common offline element among individuals who

friend one another, such as a shared class at school. This is one of the chief dimensions

that differentiates social media from earlier forms of public communication such as

newsgroups. Research in this vein has investigated how online interactions interface with
offline ones. Facebook users engage in “searching” for people with whom they have an

offline connection more than they “browse” for complete strangers to meet.

Social media use is one of the most prevalent features of today’s communication

systems. Today, many teenagers are actively engaging in social media use and

social networking. This engagement has many associated consequences, both positive

and negative. Some of the negative outcomes include cyberbullying and access to

inappropriate content as well as emotional problems such as anxiety and depression. The

research reveals that the negative outcomes can be overcome by creating awareness

about appropriate social media use. Parents should take a more proactive interest in their

children’s use of social media.

1.2 Theoretical background

As mentioned above, starting from cave paintings, people have always used

communication. Communication allows us to form relationships with others, which was

defined as “social” level needs by Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs (Dessler, 2010).

With the development of technology, communication has grown to be easier. Nowadays,

human beings unfold their concept and opinion with a couple clicks through social

network. Human behavior is so flexible it enables people to adapt to different

circumstances with ease but at times this trait does more harm than good. When people

change who they are to fit in to what society dictates they should be, that’s when things

start to become a cause of concern.

 Social
Networking
Sites (SNS)

Behavioral Effects
(Positive &
Negative)

Goals:
 Awareness
 Giving
Information
 Minimize the

Negative
Impact
1.3 Statement of the Problem

In this study, the researchers aim to identify the pros and cons effects to the

behavior of the students of LNHS using social media. It is expected that this study will be

useful to highlight student behaviors on social media, as today's students are “digital

natives” who were born with new technology and display excessive social network use

(Prensky, 2001). Since the 2000s, there has been worldwide Internet penetration and

technological advances such as smartphones with free communication methods

(Facebook, WhatsApp, Viber etc.). It is argued that shift in student habits will also cause

shifts in their behaviors.

Specifically, this study aims as follows;

1. Determining the social media network used by the students.

2. To figure out participant’s behaviors among the use of social media.

3. Purpose behind the usage of social media network.

1.4 Significance of the Study

The findings of this study will redound to the benefits of the students and society

by giving awareness and information who are into social media such as Facebook, twitter,

Instagram, Gmail and etc. where social media brings positive and negative effects that

can influence the behaviors and attitudes of the user. This research is intended also to

the future researchers in conducting more evidences, sources, and about psychological

effects of social media to the user.

1.5 Scope and Limitations

This study focuses on the behavioral effects on social media to the selected

students either in junior high and senior high students. The data collection will be

conducted in Libertad National High School, school year 2019-2020. The study would be

done through the utilization of the questionnaire as a survey and reference. By their

strategy, the researchers will be able to know the behavioral effects of using social media

to students of Libertad NHS students.

1.6 Definition of Terms

Redound. Contribute greatly to (a person’s credit or honor.

Pros. Advantages

Cons. Disadvantages

Utilization. The action of making practical and effective use of something.

.
 Chapter 2

METHODOLOGY

This chapter presents the methods used in the research. It where the research

design, research locale, research participants/sampling, research instruments, data

collection, statistical analysis data, and ethical consideration.

Research Design

The current research used the descriptive method research design. It is

descriptive since the researchers’ target is to identify positive and negative effects to the

behavior of the students of LNHS using social media. Hence, the design is essential

and appropriate to the study.

Research Locale

This study was conducted in Libertad National High School, Barangay Libertad,

Butuan City, Provence of Agusan del Norte, Region of CARAGA, Philippines.

Research Participants/Sampling

In this study, there were fifty (50) selected students from Libertad National High

School.

Level Population Quota Sampling

Junior High 2,033 15
Senior High 490 15

Research Instrument

The interview guide was used in this study. There were then several questions in

the guided interview which was made by the researcher. The items were checked,

approved and recommended by the research adviser Miss Sheena Cuenca.

Data Collection

The researchers sent a letter of permission. Upon approval, the

researchers started in gathering the data with the used of reading guide interview which
personally made by the researcher. The collected data have been checked, tallied,

evaluated, analyzed and interpreted.

Ethical Considerations

To implement the ethics of the study, the researcher gave a letter to the

participant asked their active participation in this study. Orientation with regards to the

purpose of the study was done before conducting the conduct to enlighten the

participants.