UNIVERSITY OF CAGAYAN VALLEY

SCHOOL OF CRIMINOLOGY

Chapter 1

The Problem and Its Background

Introduction

The relationship between social media and academic

achievement is a widely discussed topic in our digital age.

People of all ages, including children, students, and adults,

have access to social media. There is ongoing debate about the

impact of social media addiction, exposure frequency, choice of

social media platforms, and the influence of social media on

student interactions and academic performance.

Technology has transformed the world into a global village,

and social media plays a significant role in this advancement.

However, the use of social media has both positive and negative

effects. It has become a habit for many people, and its rapid

development has integrated it into our daily lives. Some

students perform poorly academically due to excessive time spent

on social media, chatting and making friends instead of

studying. On the other hand, some students benefit from the

information they obtain online and become smarter academically.

 UNIVERSITY OF CAGAYAN VALLEY
SCHOOL OF CRIMINOLOGY

Students have their unique approaches to enhance academic

performance. Social media is an important part of their

education as it offers opportunities for learning, accessing

information, and connecting with educational systems and peers

in their field of study. It allows them to express themselves

creatively, making the learning process more interesting and

engaging.

However, there are negative aspects associated with social

media use among students. Excessive use can lead to addiction,

causing a decline in academic performance. It also serves as a

distraction from the learning environment. College students

often spend a considerable amount of time on social media,

procrastinating instead of studying, which negatively affects

their academic performance.

Despite the negative impacts, social media can also have

positive effects, especially in the context of online learning

during the pandemic. It helps students communicate with teachers

and classmates for educational purposes and resources when face-

to-face interactions are limited.

To explore the effects of social media use on academic

performance, the researchers conducted a study among criminology

students. The study aimed to measure the academic impact,

contribute to the existing knowledge, and provide

 UNIVERSITY OF CAGAYAN VALLEY
SCHOOL OF CRIMINOLOGY

recommendations for adapting to educational changes associated

with social media use.

In conclusion, social media has both positive and negative

effects on academic performance. It offers opportunities for

learning and accessing information, but excessive use can lead

to addiction and distractions. The researchers conducted a study

among criminology students to understand the impact of social

media and provide recommendations for their academic endeavors.

Conceptual Framework

This study is primarily anchored in the Data Privacy

Act of 2012 in the Philippines in which the researchers

relevant to the current study that was focused on college

students' academic activities, particularly in the context

of using social media. It emphasizes the protection of

personal information, informed consent, and responsible

online behavior. Students should be aware of their privacy

settings, review platform policies, and understand how their

data is being used and shared. They should also consider the

transfer of data across borders, be mindful of their online

reputation, and stay informed about data breaches. The law

promotes a safe online environment and encourages students

to report instances of cyberbullying or harassment. By

adhering to data privacy principles, students can ensure

 UNIVERSITY OF CAGAYAN VALLEY
SCHOOL OF CRIMINOLOGY

their academic activities are conducted securely and with

respect to their privacy rights.

To elaborate further, this study followed the flow of

processes as shown by the figure below:

Research Paradigm

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

1. Profile of the respondents 1. Assessing profile of the
in terms of: employee-respondents in
1.1. Age terms of: -Profile of student-
1.2. Gender 1.1. Age athletes identified.
2. Impact of social media to 1.2. Gender
criminology students as 2. Assessing the impact of -Respondents’
perceived by the respondents social media to criminology mean academic
students as perceived by the performance as
4. Mean academic respondents reflected in their
performance of the final grade during
respondents as reflected in 4. Assessing the mean the 1st Semester
their final grade during the 1st academic performance of the for school year
Semester for school year respondents as reflected in 2022-2023assessed
2022-2023 their final grade during the
1st Semester for school year - Impact of social
2022-2023 media to
criminology
5. Correlating the significant students as
relationship between the perceived by the
respondents’ assessment on respondents
the impact of social media to assessed.
criminology students and
their mean academic Measures for
performance of the responsible social
respondents as reflected in media usage among
their final grade during the the Respondents
1st Semester for school year Proposed
2022-2023

FEEDBACK

Figure 1. The figure presents the interrelationship of

variables involved in this study.

 UNIVERSITY OF CAGAYAN VALLEY
SCHOOL OF CRIMINOLOGY

The figure shows the input-process-output of the study

that will serve as the researchers’ guide in the conduct of

this study.

In this study, the researchers presented how the input-

process-output work. The input frame consisted of the

Profile of the respondents in terms of age, and gender, the

impact of social media to criminology students as perceived

by the respondents, and the mean academic performance of the

respondents as reflected in their final grade during the 1st

Semester for school year 2022-2023.

The process frame is composed of assessing profile of

the employee-respondents in terms of age, and gender ;

assessing the impact of social media to criminology students

as perceived by the respondents; assessing the mean academic

performance of the respondents as reflected in their final

grade during the 1st semester for school year 2022-2023; and

correlating the significant relationship between the

respondents’ assessment on the impact of social media to

criminology students their mean academic performance of the

respondents as reflected in their final grade during the 1st

semester for school year 2022-2023.

The output frame included profile of respondents

identified, respondents’ mean academic performance as

 UNIVERSITY OF CAGAYAN VALLEY
SCHOOL OF CRIMINOLOGY

reflected in their final grade during the 1st Semester for

school year 2022-2023 assessed, impact of social media to

criminology students as perceived by the respondents

assessed and measures for responsible social media usage

among the respondents proposed.

Statement of the problem

This study aimed to assess the impact of social media

towards the academic performance of criminology students for

the calendar year 2022-2023.

Specifically, it sought answers to the following

questions:

1.What is the profile of the respondents in terms of the

following variables?

1.1. Age

1.2. Gender

2. What is the impact of social media to criminology

students as perceived by the respondents?

3. What is the mean academic performance of the respondents

as reflected in their final grade during the 1st Semester

for school year 2022-2023?

4. Is there a significant relationship between the

respondents’ assessment on the impact of social media to

criminology students and their mean academic performance

 UNIVERSITY OF CAGAYAN VALLEY
SCHOOL OF CRIMINOLOGY

of the respondents as reflected in their final grade

during the 1st Semester for school year 2022-2023?

5. What measures can be proposed to the respondents for

responsible social media usage?

Hypothesis

This study was guided by the sole hypothesis that there

is no significant relationship between the respondents’

assessment on the impact of social media to criminology

students and their mean academic performance of the

respondents as reflected in their final grade during the 1 st

Semester for school year 2022-2023.

Significance of the Study

The findings of this study are deemed beneficial to the

following:

Students - This study may expand the ideas and

knowledge of students on how to manage their social media

life in order to get better grades.

Faculty Members – This study may provide basis in

designing pedagogical approaches that will help students

maximize their academic potentials while adapting healthy

measures in using social media

 UNIVERSITY OF CAGAYAN VALLEY
SCHOOL OF CRIMINOLOGY

School Administration - The findings of the study may

assist university decision-makers in planning programs to

develop policies to protect students in performing academic

activities while using social media

Community/Parents - This study may provide parents and

community awareness on the social media effects to their

children and to give information on how could they limit the

use of social media and create ways to make it useful.

The Researchers - The researchers may gain knowledge

and help them reflect on their own social media life and try

to compare them with the study.

Future Researchers - The study them provide insights on

related studies on which can help them improve or build a

foundation on their own study regarding social media.

Scope and Delimitation:

This study focused on the impact of social media towards

the academic performance of selected 3rd year BS Criminology

students of the University of Cagayan Valley for the

Academic Year 2022-2023. The respondents of the study were

the 288 3rd year BS Criminology student enrolled in the

second semester School year 2021-2022.

Moreover, the study utilized the descriptive

correlational research method. The data gathered was derived

 UNIVERSITY OF CAGAYAN VALLEY
SCHOOL OF CRIMINOLOGY

using the questionnaire developed by Al-Rahmi, W., & Othman,

M. (2013) in a research entitled “The Impact of Social Media

Use on Academic Performance among University Students: A

Pilot Study”.

Definitions of Terms:

For greater understanding and clarity, the following

technical and scientific terms used in the study are

defined:

Academic performance. This pertains to the general

weighted average of the students as reflected in their final

grade during the 1st semester of school year 2022-2023.

Impact of Social Media. This pertains to the perceived

effects of one’s usage of social media platforms for

different purposes that are believed to be of influence to

students academic performance.

Respondents. This refers to the identified individuals

who will serve as the primary source of data for this study.

It will involve 3rd year BS Criminology students who are

officially enrolled during the 2nd semester of school year

2022-2023 in the University of Cagayan Valley

Social media. Refer internet-based form of

communication. Social media platforms allow users to have

conversations, share information and create web content.