CHAPTER IV

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

This chapter presents, analyzes and interprets gathered data of the study.

Perspectives of Criminology Students Of LSPU-SCC on the Effects of Social

Media on Civil Rights And Political Rights

Specific problem number one focused on the perspectives of male and female

criminology students of LSPU-SCC on the effects of social media on human rights.

As projected in Table number 2, it is revealed that the Perspectives regarding the

Effects of Social Media on Civil Rights as perceived by the Male Criminology Students

is “Agree”. It is mainly implied that the male criminology students consent that social

media has a positive effect in terms of the exercise of their civil rights.

Table 2

Perspectives of Male Criminology Students Of LSPU-SCC on the Effects of Social Media

on Civil Rights
Civil Rights Mean SD Remarks
1. Social media is helpful in the exercise of fundamental human 3.3 0.67 Strongly
rights such as freedom of speech and expression. Agree
2. Social media users are well aware of their online responsibilities 2.7 0.82 Agree
and the threats in their privacy.
3. Majority of information found in social media are credible, 2.9 0.99 Agree
factual and also can serve as reference for scholarly articles.
4. Data privacy in a social media user's profile is not a concern. 2.6 1.07 Agree
5. There are no issues regarding the spread of information, 2.3 0.95 Disagree
especially news updates.
6. Documents which are confidential in nature does not spread on 3.1 0.74 Agree
social media.
7. Crimes related to invasion of privacy in the social media are 3 0.47 Agree
easily investigated, prosecuted and given the proper penalty.
8. Issues regarding human rights abuse especially in law 3.3 0.67 Strongly
enforcement that spread on social media are all factual. Agree
Weighted Mean 2.9 0.35 Agree
 Results and Discussions 36

Table 2 reveals that indicator 1 and indicator 8 that has both the value of 3.3

which interpreted as “Strongly Agree” got the highest mean while indicator 5 that was

rated as 2.3 labelled as “Disagree” got the lowest mean.

This implies that male criminology students firmly agree to the fact that social

media is helpful in the exercise of fundamental rights and human rights abuses are

immediately addressed. However, they do not believe that there are no issues regarding

the spread of information in news updates.

This was supported in the study of Soltysiak (2020), wherein a male students

affirmed that social media plays a vital role in civil rights movement nowadays. A

respondent to that study stated that social media really are the peer-to-peer quick

communication or websites that are out there where everybody is connected on their

phone, which supports the idea that the social media gives a whole new range of freedom

of communication and information privileges.

It was also emphisized in an article written by Lavietes (2017), that on a greater

scheme, social media has been used as a weapon to spread causes for social struggles of

freedom, justice, and equality. Civil rights movements have capitalized social media’s

influence, making cause’s values and ideas unavoidable to everyday users. Though

gender equality is always an issue such as stereotyping, since the social media emerged

equality between men and women has been positive.

On the other hand, Table 3 reveals that the Perspectives regarding the Effects of

Social Media on Political Rights as perceived by the Male Criminology Students is also

“Agree”. It suggests that the male criminology students also correspond that social media

has a positive effect in terms of the exercise of their political rights.

 Results and Discussions 37

Table 3

Perspectives of Male Criminology Students of LSPU-SCC on the Effects of Social Media

on Political Rights
Political Rights Mean SD Remarks
1. Public opinions and arguments of people on 2.8 0.63 Agree
social media regarding issues in the
government are unrestricted.
2. Social media promotes that the will of the 2.8 0.63 Agree
people shall be the basis of the authority of
government.
3. Social media helps in resolving political 2.6 0.70 Agree
issues.
4. It is easy to join organizations, campaigns 2.8 0.63 Agree
and assembly to address political issues.
5. There are no standards set in social media, 2.8 0.63 Agree
such as everyone has the right to express
political opinions.
6. There are no restrictions on social media that 2.9 0.74 Agree
aims to filter political criticisms.
7. Social media has given everyone the avenue 2.9 0.74 Agree
to participate in the affairs of the
government.
Weighted Mean 2.8 0.1 Agree

Table 3 reveals that indicator 6 and indicator 7 which was both rated with 2.9

were interpreted as “Agree” got the highest mean while indicator 3 which has a value of

2.6 and was also interpreted as “Agree” got the lowest mean.

With the given result of 2.8 which was categorized as “Agree”, it suggests that the

male criminology students concur that social media, everyone can participate in the

affairs of the governmwnt and there are no restrictions on social media that aims to filter

political criticisms. Nonetheless, they only slightly believe that social media helps in

resolving political issues.

It is supported in the study of Boulton & Foreman, (2018) that college students

are participating in supporting political or social cause by means such as social media

more than ever now, whether or not without full understanding.

 Results and Discussions 38

Also, Table 4 reveals the summary of Perspectives regarding the Effects of Social

Media on Human Rights in terms of Civil Rights as perceived by the Male Criminology

Students is also “Agree”. It simply implies that the male criminology students as the first

group of respondents acknowledge that the social media has positive effects on the

exercise of human rights in general.

Table 4

Summary on the Perspectives of Male Criminology Students Of LSPU-SCC on the Effects

of Social Media on Human Rights in terms of Civil Rights And Political Rights

Variables Area Mean Remarks

1. Civil Rights 2.9 Agree
2. Political Rights 2.8 Agree
Over-all Mean 2.85 Agree

With the mean of 2.9 categorized as “Agree” on civil rights and 2.8 which was

also labelled as “Agree” on political rights, table 4 reveals that the respondents, the male

criminology students agree that on social media has positive effects on the exercise of

both civil and political rights in general.

The result simply implies that the male criminology students agree that social

media positively affects the exercise of civil wherein the users can freely express and

filter information as their own right. They also agreed to the fact that social media helps

in the exercise of their political rights where public opinion is always held, even though it

cannot clearly resolve political issues.

It is stated in the journal of Begum (2021), that since the founding of the United

Nations, equality between men and women has been among the most fundamental

guarantees of human rights. Theoretically, it has given male and female equal human

rights but practically in male dominated society it is not the same. This implies that male
 Results and Discussions 39

dominated society “traditionally” has the advantage when it comes to the exercise of

human rights.

Furthermore, Table 5 reveals that the Perspectives regarding the Effects of Social

Media on Human Rights in terms of Civil Rights as perceived by the Female

Criminology Students is also “Agree”. It suggests that the female criminology students

also affirms that social media has a positive effect in terms of the exercise of their civil

rights.

Table 5

Perspectives of Female Criminology Students Of LSPU-SCC on the Effects of Social

Media on Civil Rights
Civil Rights Mean SD Remarks
1. Social media is helpful in the exercise of 3.4 0.52 Strongly Agree
fundamental human rights such as freedom
of speech and expression.
2. Social media users are well aware of their 2.9 0.99 Agree
online responsibilities and the threats in
their privacy.
3. Majority of information found in social 2.4 1.17 Disagree
media are credible, factual and also can
serve as reference for scholarly articles.
4. Data privacy in a social media user's 1.8 0.79 Disagree
profile is not a concern.
5. There are no issues regarding the spread of 2.2 0.92 Disagree
information, especially news updates.
6. Documents which are confidential in 2.8 1.03 Agree
nature does not spread on social media.
7. Crimes related to invasion of privacy in 2.9 0.88 Agree
the social media are easily investigated,
prosecuted and given the proper penalty.
8. Issues regarding human rights abuse 2.5 0.97 Disagree
especially in law enforcement that spread
on social media are all factual.
Weighted Mean 2.61 0.49 Agree
 Results and Discussions 40

Table 5 reveals that indicator 1 with the value of 3.4 got the highest mean and

categorized as “Strongly Agree” while indicator 4 of 1.8 got the lowest mean which was

interpreted as “Disagree”.

With the given result of 2.61 which was categorized as “Agree”, it is implied that

social media has been helpful in the exercise of some fundamental human rights such as

freedom of speech and expression even though there are issues concerning data privacy.

It is supported in the study of Noiseau & Nowacka (2015), that social media has

proved to be a powerful vehicle for bringing women’s rights issues to the attention of a

wider public, galvanising action around the world and encouraging policy makers to step

up commitments to gender equality.

Other than that, several researches have shown that women outnumber men in

social networking sites, which is very uncommon in traditional media. Generally, studies

reveal that women use social networking sites more than men to foster their social

connections. In a 2007 study, it is seen that women are generally using social media for

social connection and posting photographs. Similarly, in a study on blog it is seen that

women are writing blogs more than men and write on their family, romantic relationship

etc. other than serious issues. A large-scale study conducted in Myspace has revealed the

fact that both men and women tended to have majority of female friends in their list. One

of the key findings of the study is that women are probably more popular in social

networking sites as women can both give and receive positive emotions. The trend that

women outstrip men in domain of social media is shaping the opinion that social media

would serve as strong platform to empower women to build their own identity replacing

the gender stereotyping of traditional media (Sneft, 2008).

 Results and Discussions 41

Moreover, Table 6 reveals that the Perspectives regarding the Effects of Social

Media on Human Rights in terms of Political Rights as perceived by the Female

Criminology Students is also “Agree”. It suggests that the female criminology students

also affirms that social media has a positive effect in terms of the exercise of their

political rights.

Table 6

Perspectives of Female Criminology Students Of LSPU-SCC on the Effects of Social

Media on Political Rights
Political Rights Mean SD Remarks
1. Public opinions and arguments of people on 2.8 0.63 Agree
social media regarding issues in the
government are unrestricted.
2. Social media promotes that the will of the 2.7 0.48 Agree
people shall be the basis of the authority of
government.
3. Social media helps in resolving political 2.8 0.79 Agree
issues.
4. It is easy to join organizations, campaigns and 3 0.47 Agree
assembly to address political issues.
5. There are no standards set in social media, 3.3 0.67 Strongly Agree
such as everyone has the right to express
political opinions.
6. There are no restrictions on social media that 3.4 0.70 Strongly Agree
aims to filter political criticisms.
7. Social media has given everyone the avenue 3.2 0.63 Agree
to participate in the affairs of the government.
Weighted Mean 3. 03 0.28 Agree

Table 6 reveals that indicator 6 of 3.4 got the highest mean which was interpreted

as “Strongly Agree”, while indicator 2 with the value of 2.7 which was labelled as

“Agree” got the lowest mean.

With the weighted mean of 3.03 which was interpreted as “Agree”, the

respondents strongly believed that there are no restrictions on social media that aims to

filter political criticisms however, they only agreed to the statement that social media

promotes the will of the people as a basis of authority of the government. It only implies
 Results and Discussions 42

that social media has been effective in filtering information regarding political criticisms

but it still wasn’t that effective to generally promote the will of the people as the basis of

authority of the government.

It is stated in the study of Shirky (2011), that social media has transformed the

landscape of how information is shared globally and the relationship between citizens and

governments. Also, the extent to which women are represented in public life and in

decision-making processes has a gendered impact on policy making. Increasing their

political participation has been linked to more gender-responsive public policies.

Table 7 reveals the summary on the Perspectives of Female Criminology Students

Of LSPU-SCC on the Effects of Social Media on Human Rights in terms of Civil Rights

and Political Rights is also “Agree”. It reveals that the female criminology students

concur that social media has a positive effect in the exercise of their human rights.

Table 7

Summary on the Perspectives of Female Criminology Students Of LSPU-SCC on the

Effects of Social Media on Human Rights in terms of Civil Rights and Political Rights

Variables Area Mean Remarks

9. Civil Rights 2.61 Agree
10. Political Rights 3.03 Agree
Over-all Mean 2.85 Agree

With the rating given of of 2.61 which was labelled as “Agree” on civil rights and

3.03 which was also stated as “Agree” on political rights, Table 7 reveals that the

respondents, the female criminology students with the given over-all mean of 2.85,

“Agree” that social media has positive effects on the exercise of both civil and political

rights in general.
 Results and Discussions 43

The over-all mean of 2.85 which was interpreted as “Agree” implies that female

criminology students in general implies that social media has been effective in terms of

promoting the rights of fair and equal treatment of individuals as well as being able to

express their right to participate in some affairs of the government.

It is supported in the study of Loiseau & Nowacka (2015), that women’s rights

movements have also been quick to capitalise on social media’s unprecedented political

and awareness-raising potential. During the Wikigender online discussion, participants

stressed the importance of social media in allowing gender activists to connect within and

across borders, at a low cost. The surge of female bloggers has in particular helped attract

a younger generation of activists, who represent a key target audience to break

established stereotypes and help advance gender equality. Social media has been a major

help for the exercise and empowerment of women’s rights.

Table 8 reveals the summary on the Perspectives of Criminology Students Of

LSPU-SCC on the Effects of Social Media on Human Rights in terms of Civil Rights and

Political Rights is also “Agree”. It reveals that both male and female criminology

students concur that social media has a positive effect in the exercise of human rights.

Table 8

Summary on the Perspectives of Criminology Students Of LSPU-SCC on the Effects of

Social Media on Human Rights in terms of Civil Rights And Political Rights

Variables Area Mean Remarks

11. Civil Rights 3.28 Strongly Agree
12. Political Rights 2.60 Agree
Weighted Mean 2.88 Agree

Table 6 reveals that indicator 1 which is Civil Rights with the value of 3.28 which

was rated as “Strongly Agree” got the highest mean while indicator 2 which is Political

Rights which was labelled as “Agree” with the value of 2.60 got the lowest mean.
 Results and Discussions 44

With the over-all mean of 2.88 which was labelled as “Agree”, it is implied that

social media has been extremely helpful in addressing the users’ civil rights however, it

has only been moderately effective in promoting their political participation.

According Broadhurst, (2014), over the decades, as different social and political

movements have occurred students and the general public have reacted in different ways

based on the societal infrastructures of the time. It is also supported by Jørgensen (2021),

which states that, in terms of human rights, social media platforms have a huge impact on

how an individual may express, search for, exercise and encounter information.

Significant Difference between the Perspectives of the two (2) groups of

Respondents to the Effects of Social Media as to the Aforementioned Variables

Table 9 shows the significant difference between the perspectives of the two (2)

groups of respondents on how the Social Media affects the exercise of the

aforementioned variables.

Table 9

Significant Difference between the Perspectives of the two (2) groups of Respondents to
the Effects of Social Media as to the Aforementioned Variables.

X₁ X₂
Group Difference SD Critical Findings
Computed Value
t-value
Male Female Male Female
1. Civil Rights 2.90 2.61 2.12 0.35 0.49 2.365 Not
Significant
2. Political 2.8 3.03 2.64 0.1 0.28 2.447 Significant
Rights

Table reveals the significant difference between the perspectives of the two (2)

groups of respondents as to the aforementioned variables.

 Results and Discussions 45

The paired t-test was used to determine whether there is no significant difference

on the perceptions of the two (2) groups of respondents. In terms of civil rights, it has a

difference computed t-value of 2.12 and a critical value of 2.365, two-tailed P value

equals 0.0716 and was interpreted as ‘not significant’. The result is more than the

significance level of 0.05 so the hypothesis was accepted. On the other hand, in terms of

political rights, it had a difference computed t-value of 2.64 with a critical value of 2.447

and a P value of 0.0384 and was interpreted as ‘significant’. The result is less than the

significance level of 0.05 thus, rejecting the hypothesis.

The results specifically argues that there is no significant difference between the

perspectives of the two (2) respondents regarding the effects of social media on civil

rights, while there is a significant difference between their perspectives regarding the

effects of social media on political rights. Generally, men and women have different

perspectives regarding the exercise of human rights.

In relation to the result, according to the article Integrating Gender into Human

Rights Monitoring (n.d), integrating a gender perspective in human rights monitoring is a

process to ensure that all violations against men and women of all ages and sections of

society are recognized and accounted for. It is also a strategy for making women’s as well

as men’s experiences and concerns an integral dimension of the design and

implementation of the monitoring cycle. When gathering contextual information and

information about specific human rights violations, it is important to understand the links

between gender and other social identities.

 Results and Discussions 46

Challenges Faced and Coping Mechanisms of the Respondents regarding the

Exercise of Social Media as to the Aforementioned Variables
Specific problem number three pertains on challenges faced and coping

mechanisms encountered by the two (2) groups of respondents regarding the exercise of

social media as to the aforementioned variables.

This was supported by a discussion paper presented by the Commissioner for

Human Rights (2012), that social media comes with potential problems, as well as gains.

This new phenomenon presents us with a range of fresh challenges. One important issue

is how to ensure that internet regulations do not strangle freedom of expression.

The following are the Challenges encountered by the two (2) groups of

respondents regarding the exercise of social media as to the aforementioned variables.

1. Social Media makes it is easier to know your exact location so sometimes it is

dangerous because it violates the privacy of people. It is prone to leakage of

personal information that could be a threat to privacy if posted in public.

2. As people are free to post and express their opinion in social media, some tend to

easily believe in articles and issues that are not factual at all. There is lack of legal

basis and factual basis in the contents of information in social media.

3. There is no filter to what people can say and sometimes it affects the reputation of

some people.

4. There are little to no issues regarding the spread of information, especially news

updates. But some people use the social media to spread false information and

hatred to some of the officials in the government or the hate against the

government, so social media alone does not resolve political issues.

 Results and Discussions 47

5. Sometimes, too much exercise of freedom of speech and expression in social

media can cause problems.

6. When someone answered to your factual statements that has credible and reliable

sources with a negative and unreliable statements or sources, many people tend to

believe them.

It is stated by the Commissioner of Human Rights (2012), that the private sector

entities that effectively control much of what happens on the Internet must also play a

key role in protecting these principles. It is believed that the legal protection of online

political activism, and ensure that the potential of the Internet to support human rights is

fully developed.

The following are the coping mechanisms on the challenges encountered by the

two (2) groups of respondents regarding the exercise of social media as to the

aforementioned variables.

1. Let the authorities resolve the issue in cases that involves a wider sphere.

2. Be smart, observant, always keep your privacy especially in sharing your location

that makes a person easier to track.

3. Improve the impementation of the data privacy act.

4. Refrain from posting political issues in social media.

5. In order to address the challenges throughout social media platform, we have to

be responsible on using on this. The limitation/restriction lies within one's

discipline and respect to other people.

6. Scan all the information and ensure that they are supported by facts and reliable

sources and share some articles or credible sources to read.