The Effects of Social Media on the Academic Performance of Senior High School Students

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

In today's situation, social media have been a major break in the minds of students and the world at large thereby initiating a lot of radical measure by students, teachers, and even educational administrators at large. Students at all levels of learning now have divided attention to studies as a result of available opportunities to be yoked from social media. Whether these opportunities promote studies is a question that needs to be answered. Thus, this study investigates the influence of social media on the academic performance of the Senior High School students of Mother of Mercy Academy.

METHODS

The instrument used to collect data is a questionnaire and descriptive-survey method, prepared by researchers. Simple Random Sampling is used to identify the respective respondents. The respondents were the Senior High School students of Mother of Mercy Academy.

RESULTS

The findings of this study showed that social media created a negative effect on teenagers such as lack of privacy, taking most of their productive time, disturbing students from their academic work, and the likes. However, they were also benefitted if these social media were used appropriately. For instance, students formed online communities such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and used the Messenger as a way to keep in contact when a student who has been absent needed to be updated on current academic information through group chats.

DISCUSSIONS

The results showed that students needed to be educated on the impact of social media on their academic performance. Also, the students should make a balance between chatting and academic activities. It is highly emphasized also that ample attention should be focused to research and be monitored by teachers and parents on how they will use these sites. Social media must be used for academic purposes rather than use it on negative activities.