EXPERIENCES OF THE SELECTED GRADE 11 STUDENTS OF GENERAL DE JESUS COLLEGE IN USING TIKTOK AND ITS EFFECT ON THEIR BEHAVIOR DURING SCHOOL YEAR 2023-2024

Abstract

According to Mekler (2021), TikTok is a widely used application that enables users to create and share short-form videos. Many individuals view and contribute to the vast amount of content on TikTok, spending a considerable amount of time on the platform. Aslam (2023) reported that out of the 4.48 billion regular social media users worldwide, 22.32% are TikTok users. Numerous studies have examined the effects of TikTok on academic performance and mental health. However, there remains a lack of research focusing on the lived experiences of TikTok users and the behaviors that may be influenced by using the application. Hence, this study aimed to identify the experiences of selected Grade 11 students of General De Jesus College in using TikTok and its effects on their behavior. This study employed a qualitative research design using a phenomenological approach. To collect data, the researchers selected twenty (20) Grade 11 students from General De Jesus College who actively use TikTok. The participants were chosen through quota sampling. Data were gathered using semi-structured interviews supported by audio recordings. The results showed that the majority of the participants were female TikTok users. Fourteen (14) out of twenty (20) participants were 16 years old. In terms of screen time, ten (10) participants reported spending between one (1) to five (5) hours on TikTok daily. The study revealed that TikTok provides both positive and negative experiences for student users. Positive experiences included providing entertainment and relieving stress. In contrast, negative experiences included losing track of time, encountering technical problems, and exposure to toxic TikTok culture. Furthermore, the findings indicated that TikTok influenced the behavior of the participants. Through TikTok use, participants reported becoming more confident, sociable, lazy, cooperative, creative, and respectful. The findings highlight the experiences of selected Grade 11 students of General De Jesus College while using the TikTok application, as well as the behaviors they adopted as a result of its use. TikTok is widely utilized by students today and can offer both positive and negative experiences. Therefore, this study emphasizes the importance of proper and responsible utilization of the TikTok application to manage its effects on students’ behavior.