THE ROLE OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN SHAPING THE POLITICAL AWARENESS OF

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS: A QUANTITATIVE STUDY

_____________________________________________________________________

A Research Presented

To the Faculty of Senior High School Department

Gamu Agri-Fishery School (formerly Gamu Rural School)

In Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for the Subject

Practical Research 2

John David P. Sucayre

Kim Zyrone P. Buncag

Adrian R. Agudon

Asianet M. Marquez

Ai S. Takemoto

Cherry Pie N. Alaska

Lerin M. Bolante

Alyssa Mea R. Bello

Angelica L. Laguinday

Angela Q. Domingo
 CHAPTER 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Overview and Background of the Study

Social media applications have recently played a significant role in influencing

government decision making and shaping the relationships between governments, citizens,

politicians, and other social actors (Almazan & Garcia, 2014). The use of social media has

significantly increased over the past few years. As of 2018, 69% of adults in the United States

use social media, and among them, 88% are aged 18-29 (Pew Research Center, 2018). Social

media has become an important source of news and information for many people, especially

young people. A study by the American Press Institute found that 88% of millennials (those

born between 1981 and 1996) get their news from Facebook, and 83% use Twitter for news.

The use of social media has also been found to have a significant impact on political

awareness and participation. A study found that 48% of adults in the United States have used

social media to post or share political content, and 69% of them said that social media was an

important source of news and information during the 2016 presidential campaign (Pew

Research Center, 2016). Social media has also been found to increase political participation

among young people. A study by the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning

and Engagement found that young people who used social media to engage in political

activities were more likely to vote and participate in other forms of political activity.

Despite the potential benefits of social media in shaping political awareness and

participation, there are also concerns about its impact on the quality of information and the

polarization of political discourse. Social media algorithms have been criticized for creating
 "echo chambers" where users are exposed only to information that confirms their existing

beliefs. This can lead to the spread of misinformation and the reinforcement of political

polarization. Hence, in this study we aim to examine the role of social media in shaping

political awareness among senior high school students of Gamu Agri-Fishery School.

Conceptual Framework

The researchers use IPO (Input, Process, Output) conceptual paradigm since this is a

descriptive study.

Input Process Output

A. Respondents profile A. Gathering data from Identify the level of

according to: student’s profile political awareness of the
respondents.
Age B. Conducting survey
through questionnaires
Gender
C. Statistical analysis of
Section
data
B. The social media usage
patterns of senior high school
students

C. The level of political

awareness among senior high
school students

Figure 1. Paradigm of the Study

This study is structured into three key components: Input, Process, and Output. Each

component plays a crucial role in investigating the role of social media in shaping the

political awareness of senior high school students at Gamu Agri-Fishery School.

 In the first box, the input component, the researchers gather essential information

about the senior high school students at Gamu Agri-Fishery School. This includes their age,

gender, and section, which provide a comprehensive understanding of the respondents. The

independent variables include the social media usage patterns of these students, allowing the

researchers to examine how they interact with social media platforms. Another crucial

variable is the level of political awareness among these students, helping to establish the basis

for the study.

The second box represents the process component, where the researchers delve into

the core of the study. Data is gathered from the students' profiles, which includes their

demographic information. Surveys are conducted using structured questionnaires designed to

extract information about social media usage patterns and political awareness. This step also

involves rigorous statistical analysis of the collected data to identify patterns, trends, and

correlations.

Finally, the third box provides the output of the study, which includes two critical

aspects. First, it presents the findings related to the role of social media in shaping political

awareness among senior high school students. This analysis will include statistical results,

trends, and correlations, helping to answer the research question. Second, the output explores

the implications of these findings in a clear and organized manner. It aims to inform

educators, policymakers, and stakeholders about the impact of social media on the political

awareness of senior high school students and how this knowledge can be used to shape future

educational and political strategies.

Statement of the Problem

Generally, this study aims to understand and examine the role of social media in

shaping political awareness, particularly with the Senior High Students of Gamu Agri-Fishery

School. Specifically, this study aims to answer the following questions:

1. What is the most commonly used social media platforms among senior high school

students in accessing political information?

2. How do senior high school students perceive the impact of social media in their

political knowledge?

3. To what extent the exposure to political content on social media platforms influence

the level of political awareness among senior high school students?

Objective of the Study:

The objective of this study is to investigate the role of social media in shaping the

political awareness of senior high school students at Gamu Agri-Fishery School by

addressing the following specific objectives:

1. To determine the most commonly used social media platforms among senior high

school students for accessing political information.

2. To examine how senior high school students perceive the impact of social media on

their political knowledge.

3. To assess the extent to which exposure to political content on social media platforms

influences the level of political awareness among senior high school students.
Significance of the Study

This study on the role of social media in shaping political awareness among the senior

high school students deemed importance to the following;

Senior High School Students. The findings of this study can help students better understand

the role of social media in shaping their political awareness and opinions. It can also inform

them on how to be responsible and critical online citizens, especially when it comes to

political discussion.

Parents. The research can benefit parents who play an essential role in shaping their child’s

opinions and beliefs, including those related to politics. The study can help parents

understand the potential impact of social media on their child’s political awareness and

influence their online behavior.

Educators and Policymakers. The study’s result can provide educators and policymakers

with concrete insights on how to design curriculum and policies related to social media and

political engagement. The findings can inform the development of guidelines and strategies

to promote responsible online behavior among senior high school students.

The General public. The findings of this study can contribute to the broader conversation on

the role of social media in shaping political awareness among young people. The research can

help people understand the influence of social media on political engagement and contribute

to the development of better digital citizenship practices.

Researchers. The result of this study will be used to help the researchers to identify the role

of social media in shaping the political awareness of the senior high school students.
Future Researchers. this study particularly its findings and recommendations could be a

basis for future researchers related studies.

Scope and Delimitations

This research focuses on the role of social media in shaping the political awareness

among senior high school students. This study will be delimited to 200 Senior High School

students enrolled in Gamu Agri-fishery School in the School Year 2023-2024 at Linglingay

Gamu, Isabela.

Definition of Terms

To facilitate a better understanding of this study, key terms and concepts are defined as

follows:

Social Media: Refers to online platforms and websites that allow users to create, share,

and interact with content, including text, images, videos, and links. Examples of social media

platforms include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

Political Awareness: The level of understanding and knowledge that individuals

possess about political issues, events, and processes, including government policies,

elections, and political ideologies.

Senior High School Students: Refers to students enrolled in the senior high school

level, typically in the last two years of their secondary education. In this study, it specifically

pertains to students at Gamu Agri-Fishery School.

 Social Media Usage Patterns: The habits, behaviors, and routines that senior high

school students adopt when using social media platforms, including the frequency and

duration of use, types of content consumed, and engagement with political content.

Impact of Social Media: Refers to the influence, effect, or consequences of social

media use on senior high school students' perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors related to

political knowledge and awareness.

Exposure to Political Content: The extent to which senior high school students come

into contact with political information, news, opinions, and discussions on social media

platforms.

Echo Chambers: Online environments in which individuals are exposed primarily to

information and opinions that align with their existing beliefs and viewpoints, reinforcing

their pre-existing attitudes.

Digital Citizenship: The responsible and ethical use of digital technologies, including

social media, with an emphasis on being informed, respectful, and mindful online

participants.

Curriculum: The set of courses, subjects, and educational content offered to students,

including instruction in various academic areas and life skills.

Policymakers: Individuals or groups responsible for creating and implementing

policies, regulations, and guidelines related to education, technology, and online behavior.

Guidelines and Strategies: Prescribed principles and plans designed to guide

individuals, institutions, and organizations in achieving specific goals, such as promoting

responsible online behavior.

 Digital Literacy: The ability to find, evaluate, create, and communicate information in

digital formats, encompassing skills related to information literacy, media literacy, and

technology literacy.

Civic Engagement: Involvement in activities and actions aimed at contributing to

one's community, society, and political processes, such as voting, volunteering, and

advocacy.

Digital Platforms: Digital tools, services, and online spaces used for communication,

interaction, and content sharing, including social media platforms and websites.