CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION:
Albert Einstein, in fact, had already prophesized as much in the 1950s,
when talking about the second bomb!!
The electronic bomb, after the atomic one. A bomb whereby real-time interaction
would be to information what radioactivity is to energy.
The disintegration then will not merely affect the particles of matter but also the very
people which our society consists.
-Predictor: Virilio, Paul1

Imagine the year 2000 - six years before the idea of Twitter
became a reality, four years before Mark Zuckerberg launched
Facebook from his college dormitory, three years before Myspace was
converted to support the idea of social networking. The thought that
people might someday spend over 700 billion minutes per month on a
single website such as Facebook was unthinkable. These social
networking sites along with hundreds more were just a spark in
designers minds.
Is he an online network socialite? Does he used to tweet about
his Facebook status while listening to music on youtube.com? Has his
friends noticed about his relationship status from single to its
complicated? Then he has got his fingers on the pulse of online social
networking - a big part of Web 2.
The term Web 2.0 is associated with web applications that

facilitate participatory information sharing, interoperability, usercentered design, and collaboration on the World Wide Web.

One of the famous examples of Web 2.0 is social networking site

(SNS). With plenty of information sharing circling around a social
networking site, it is indeed; considered the mother of all Web 2.0
applications.
Social networking is the grouping of individuals into specific
groups, like small rural communities or a neighborhood subdivision, if
you will. Although social networking is possible in person, especially in
the workplace, universities, and high schools, it is most popular online.3
Ever wondered why?

This is because unlike most high schools,

colleges, or workplaces, the internet is filled with millions of individuals

who are looking to meet other people, to gather and share first-hand
information

and

experiences

about

cooking,

golfing,

gardening,

developing friendships or professional alliances, finding employment,

business-to-business marketing and even groups sharing information.
When it comes to online social networking, websites are
commonly involved or perhaps used. These websites are known as
social sites. Social networking websites may be defined as sites that
allow users to build a profile that will be made public within an
enclosed system. It should be noted that the main purpose behind
creation of a social networking website is to enable persons to avail

pre-existing connections. Social networking websites have also been

created for the purpose of initiating friendships between strangers.4
The services offered by a social networking are simply too
inviting, making any neophyte feel the difficulty of ceasing the SNS via
internet connection. Normally, they are going through the first stage of
acclimating themselves to a new environment by fully immersing
themselves in it. Since this environment is so much larger than
anything anyone has ever seen before, some people get stuck in the
acclimation (or enchantment) stage for a longer period of time than is
typical for acclimating to new technologies, products, and services
offered by a SNS.
The first hint of social networking websites was witnessed in the
year

1997

through

formation

of

certain

company

called

Sixdegrees.com. This company was the first of its kind; it allowed user
to list their profiles, provide a list of friends and then contact them. As
years passed by, social networking sites like Friendster, then Myspace,
followed by Facebook, and Twitter were created to provide peoples
enjoyment.5
Social networking is a big hit especially among Filipinos who are
under the Philippines culture of being hospitable and friendly. They
used to connect through these sites to keep in touch with their loved
ones or friends.

A study released by Universal McCann6 entitled Power To The

People Wave3 declared the Philippines as the social networking
capital of the world, with 83 percent of Filipinos surveyed are
members of a social network.
Apparently, the rapid growing numbers of users of these SNSs
are the students. As the generation changed rapidly, teenagers are
now going with the flow of new technologies via internet or World Wide
Web in order to suit their needs, especially in when it is applied to their
studies.
In fact, many students are interested in checking out these sites
for these SNSs typically offer great features especially the so called
SNS profile. With these, a user can access to ones information
including

his

photos,

videos,

applications

that

they

use

and

comments/messages posted by other persons. Furthermore, special

features are also offered like social games such as Farmville, Texas
Holdem Poker, and many more.
However, most students have been blaming various social
networking sites for their steady decrease in grade point averages.
This emergent phenomenon aroused the researchers to look upon
social networking sites and why they affect students academic
performances.
The researchers chose the topic about the impact of social

networking sites to be investigated because it is shown evidently that

most of the students in University of the East use SNSs as part of their
activities done in the internet.
Here in University of the East, students are prohibited to access
social networking sites such as FB or Twitter during lecture hours.
Anyhow, students still insisted to log in to these sites through proxy
servers. Is this a manifestation of students addiction to SNS?
According to DepEd Order No. 1057, s. 2009 entitled, Guidelines
in Managing the Proper Use of Internet Services in All Administrative
Offices and Schools, accessing of prohibited sites (like pornographic
sites as well as social networking sites) will be considered a violation of
the DepEd Internet usage policy. As part of internet security, attempts
to access these and other non-educational related sites shall be
discouraged and/or blocked. Moreover, Computer Lab Administrators
are instructed to configure their proxy servers and/or switch routers in
order to filter/block prohibited sites.

It is evident that many students rely on these sites in order to

interact with their friends and other people who are important to
them. However, it is not an alibi to be considered as they break the
policy on the proper usage of internet inside the campus. From this
moment, it is obvious that social networking sites really affect ones
behavior. That in lieu of peer to peer interaction between people,
nowadays, individuals is more dependent upon the use of wireless
communication by means of SNS.
Social networking users are flooding throughout the entire blue
planet like SNS giant called Facebook with 750 million active users.
Social networking sites attracted the attentions of many internet
surfers as well as numerous social science researchers and an
increasing number of academic commentators. Facebook, Twitter and
other SNSs have aroused the interest of these researchers. Therefore,
they are becoming more and more active in investigating and studying
the probable impact of these SNSs on society.
When someone talks about the impacts or effects of something,
two concerns must be considered. It includes the pros and cons of the
subject. Pros are arguments which aim to promote the issue, while
cons suggest points against it.8
For simplification, pros are the advantages, positive aspects or
good things about something, and cons, on the contrary, are the
disadvantages, negative aspects, or bad things.

It is true that social networking has already invaded our society,

especially the youth. No wonder that even a grade 2 pupil already has
multiple social networking accounts. And yet, scholars are still
debating for the probable influences of these SNSs among users
particularly the students.
Students usage of social networking sites has already plagued
all throughout the universities. This circumstance can never be
eradicated if anyone wanted to, in a blink of an eye. As someone keep
logging in through these sites, effects are then taking place one by
one. The user may not be aware of these situations, whether he
receives benefits or dangers by using these SNS, therefore, the
researchers generally tended to expose the absolute pros and cons of
social networking not only among students but also to all SNSs
aficionado.
In this heady age of rapid technological change, people struggle
to maintain their bearings. The developments that unfold each day in
communications and computing can be thrilling and disorienting. One
understandable reaction is to wonder: Are these changes good or bad?
Should people welcome them or fear them? The question still remains.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM:

This research generally aimed to find out the positive, negative
and behavioral impacts of social networking among students.
7

This study will be conducted via case study, descriptive method,

and other explorations of primary or secondary resources. And in order
to determine the positive and negative impacts or advantages and
disadvantages of social networking sites (SNS) to students, the
research will be done through survey questionnaire.
Particularly, it sought to answer the following questions.
1. What is the profile of the students in terms of:
1.1 Gender
1.2 Age
1.3 Year Level
1.4 Relationship Status
1.5 Average monthly family income
2. What is the profile of the students in terms of Social Networking
Sites?
2.1 Most preferred SNS
2.2 Number of friends on SNS
2.3 Frequency of using
3. How do they find the impacts of SNS when it comes to:
3.A Pros (positive side, benefits, advantages) &

Cons (negative side, drawbacks, disadvantages)

3.A.1 Behavior in school(e.g. academic performance)
3.A.2 Behavior at home (e.g chore responsibilities)
HYPOTHESES:
For this study, the researchers predict the following:
1. There is a significant difference that exists between male and
female in terms of using social networking sites.
2. There is enough evidence to prove the claim that students who are
single in status are more prone to social networking.
3.

Respondents familys net income per month has a correlation in

using SNS.

SCOPE AND DELIMITATION:

The researchers conducted a study about the influence of social
networking sites on the students especially in University of the East.
This study considered every aspect of students including the age,
gender, year level, family income, and relationship status in terms of
social networking sites and their perspective about the positive and
negative attributes of SNS's among themselves.
This study focuses on the pros and cons of social networking
sites to the students exposed in such environment (i.e. at home and in
school). It did not include all the students enrolled in a university from
9

different parts of the globe. Rather, it is limited to selected 30 students

whom the researchers have found out to be using social networking
sites every day.
This

study

used

purposive

sampling

to

determine

the

respondents since everyday users of SNS are only considered.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This research is anchored to uncover the pros and cons of social
networking sites among students. Therefore, it is significant to the
following individuals concerned:
Students. The result of this study will make the students aware of how
does a social networking site influences them and how does it
affect their educational performance. This will educate the
students regarding the proper usage of social networking sites.
This will help the students to improve their social life with the use
of social networking sites.
Parents. Who, guided by the findings of this investigation, will
understand their childs purpose of using social networking sites
and for them to be aware of the influence from social networking
sites that might affect their children. With enough knowledge,
parents can think of possible preventive ways if their child is
prone to develop a weak educational habit because of too much
usage and dependence from social networking sites.

10

Teachers. This study can help the teachers by suggesting some ways in
order for them to relate with students social activities especially
with regards of using social networking sites. In line with this,
teachers, as students' second parents, will know a way on how to
help the students if they will be encountering a problem
regarding the academic performance of their students.
The Department of Education. As an agency that draws and

sets

the education program in any level, may use results of this study
reference for the curriculum makers in the creation of acceptable
guidelines in proper use of social networking sites.
Guidance

Counselors.

Who

recommendations,

are

will

capable

help

them

of
to

giving

awake

their

consciousness on the positive and negative aspects of

social networking sites to the

students.

By

informing them of this matter, they will be able

relate more with students

and to give accurate

students that have problems involving

School

Administrators.

This

research

to
advices

to

SNSs.
will

help

the

administrators, like the Guidance counselors,

to

school
be

aware of the influences of social networking sites to the

students. With enough information
their influence to the students,

about SNSs
school

and

administrators

can help in solving problems of the students regarding this topic

11

and

give advices that are appropriate to the situation when

SNSs

affect the

scholastic standing of students.

Social Networking Sites Developers. The result of this

make the developers of

different

influences of the SNSs that they

making.

are

SNSs

study
aware

will

of

maintaining

the
and

Because of this, they will be trying their best to

develop a

social networking

have good effects to the user

site that will

only

which are also very essential

in educational matters.
Spectators or SNS users. The aftermath of this will make
conscious on how social

them to be

networking sites affects their lives.

Future Researchers. This study can help the further analysis of future
researchers regarding the influence of social networking sites
among students. This can serve as a reference for further
improvements to be done in their study.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
1 Virilio, P. (1995). Speed and Information: Cyberspace Alarms!.
Retrieved on August 25,

2011 from

http://www.ctheory.net/articles.aspx?id=72
2 Web 2.0 (2010). Retrieved on August 25, 2011 from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_2.0#cite_note-0

12

3 What is Social Networking. (2011). Retrieved on August 25, 2011

from http://www.whatissocialnetworking.com
4 Acquisti, A. & Gross, R. (2006). Imagined communities:
Awareness, information

sharing, and

privacy on the Facebook. Cambridge, UK: Robinson College

5 History of Social Networking Websites. (2010). Retrieved on

August 25, 2011 from
http://carolynsmith.articlesbase.com/internet-articles/history-ofsocial-networking-websites-1908457.html
6 Universal McCann. (2011). Philippines: The Social

Networking

Capital of the World. Retrieved on August 25, 2011 from

http://www.socialhubnotes.com/philippines-the-socialnetworking-capital-of-the-world
7 Guidelines in Managing the Proper Use of Internet Services in All
Administrative

Offices and Schools. DepEd Order No. 105, s.

2009.
8 What are Pros and Cons?. (n.d.). Retrieved on August 25, 2011
from
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-pros-and-cons.htm

13

CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES
This chapter contains foreign and local articles and studies that
may be symmetrical to the study being conducted by the researchers.
It will be helpful in strengthening the claim of the researchers.
Moreover, the researchers guarantee the reliability of the past articles
and investigations as to their connection to the present study.
Foreign Studies
The internet is an ever-changing environment. As years passed
by and trees grew older, so does the internet. Constant updating of
software and hardware is leading the world into a technologically
14

advanced society. Therefore, a big challenge for the scholars has

emerged in line with the use of World Wide Web especially on the
effects of social networking sites among adolescents.
According to Hawkins1, a social networking site is described as
website where individuals can set up an online profile, describing
his/her interests. However, as Boyd and Ellison 2 (2007) reveal, While
their key technological features are fairly consistent, the cultures that
emerge around are varied. Most sites support the maintenance of preexisting social networks, but others help strangers connect based on
shared interests, political views, or activities. From this, it is evident
that the main use of social networking sites is interaction and
communicating with others. They use them to keep up to date and in
touch

with

existing

friends

and

relations,

or

to

create

new

relationships.
However, according to Vitak3 (2008), there are some reasons why
an individual uses a social networking site. The first reason is for them
to meet strangers and become friends with them. The majority of
respondents of her research paper (57%) said they were initially
introduced to those friends through mutual friends, which increases the
likelihood of such relationships developing into strong ties. Imagine?
Strangers job became easier because some SNS users are actually the
one who first approached them.
A survey released by National School Boards Association 4 reveals

15

that about one in 50 students (2 percent) say a stranger they met

online tried to meet them in person; 2 percent of parents concur.
Luckily, Only 0.08 percent of all students say theyve actually met
someone in person from an online encounter without their parents
permission. The vast majority of students, then, seem to be living by
the online safety behaviours they learn at home and at school.
Social

networking

sites

are

extremely

popular

among

undergraduates. A research conducted by ECAR (EDUCAUSE Center for

Applied Research)5 revealed that 85.2% of the full student respondents
population coming from 44 institutions who participated in the study,
do use SNS's. Half of these use these social networking sites to talk
about education topics and discuss what they learn at school; only 5.5
% use SNS to communicate with instructors about course-related
topics.
In this matter, the positive effect of SNS among students is
becoming more obvious as it helps students with their study.
Meanwhile of all the SNS student users (22,207) from the same study,
87.4% of these put access restrictions on their profiles. Younger and
females are most likely to do so. Thus, reducing the access of strangers
on their profiles as well as reducing the possibility of danger.
When

it

comes

to

safety,

review

carried

out

by

TechMediaNetwork (2011)6 asserted that Facebook, Myspace, and Bebo

16

are the leading SNS in terms of privacy and safety. Additionally,

eBizMBA (2011)7 ranked Facebook as superior with highest number of
visitors (700,000,000), followed by Twitter, and LinkedIn coping the
third place.
On the other hand, based from a research done by the Nielsen
Company8, social networking is a global phenomenon and while the
largest audience resides in the U.S., Australia boasts the highest
amount of time spent in social networks per person (6:52:28), followed
by the U.S. (6:09:13), the United Kingdom (6:07:54), and Italy
(6:00:07).
The researchers at University College of London 9 say that the
amount of time people spend staring at screens has a direct link to
heart health. And those who stay online for 11 hours a day raise the
risk of heart disease by 67%. Moreover, it could lead to glaucoma- an
eye disorder relating to blindness.
A renowned doctor once forwarded the idea that sites like
Facebook and MySpace could be harmful for the young people that
frequent them. According to the doctor, the problem is that when teens
begin to live their lives actively online, they may begin to put less
value on their own real lives (i.e. real lives also include education).
When it comes to education, students' academic performance is
really a big matter to be discussed.
According to Aryn Karpinski's10 study of about 219 students, 148

17

Facebook users had a full grade point lower than those who don't have
Facebook. People that didn't use Facebook reported that they study
about 11-15 hours and those who had a Facebook account only studied
1-5 hours per week. Our study shows people who spend more time on
Facebook spend less time studying, said Aryn Karpinski, a researcher
in

the education

department

at

Ohio

State University. Every

generation has its distractions, but I think Facebook is a unique

phenomenon. The Ohio report shows that students who used
Facebook had a significantly lower grade point average - the marking
system used in US universities - than those who did not use the site.
This one negative aspect is just a simple proof of SNS disadvantages.
Even at a large community in New York11, dropout rate among
freshmen newcomers rose dramatically as their investments in
computers and internet access increase. The reason? Administrators
learned that 43% of the dropouts were staying up all night on the
internet. See?
Can one predict that SNS online addiction can lead to lower
grades in school resulting to ruined transcript of records, then to a job
employment failure, thus, ended to a lifetime full of regrets?

Foreign Literature
Teens are truly living in a broadband world tuning to the
internet as a tool for gathering information, providing entertainment,

18

and as a means of establishing their identity and connecting to others.

When it comes to teens, they are obviously composed of students.
When Thom McKay realized that his son had figured out how to
get on the social networking site even though his New Jersey middle
school had blocked it, he asked the boy in astonishment how he had
done it.
Pretty easy, Dad, his son retorted. Dont be an idiot. We know
more about computers than the teachers do.- a column from The New
York Times newspaper by Conlin, Jennifer12.
Just imagine the digital battle teachers face when competing
against the likes of Facebook for their students attention. It is a
struggle that has led most schools to ban the social networking site.
But while it is easy for schools to block Facebook on their computer
networks (through methods not unlike parental controls at home),
students say its just as easy to get around the ban.
A few moments after clicking the Google search even revealed at
least 50 Web sites telling students the various ways they can trick the
schools system with proxy servers. One such site even lists some of
the thousands and thousands of proxy servers that can outsmart the
schools techies.
As added by the mentioned article, Banning Facebook is
pointless, said Emilie MacDonald, a high school sophomore in

19

Massachusetts. Banning it only puts a challenge in kids minds. But

its the kids fault if they are distracted and earn horrible grades.
Some educators, however, are starting to believe that a ban is
not the answer. Rather than blocking social media in school, we feel it
is important to help our students to learn to use social media safely
and productively for both personal and academic reasons, said Phil
Kassen, director of the Little Red School House and Elisabeth Irwin High
School in Manhattan.
Students brain must be reserved for academic hours and not for
liking someone's status (as Maria Clara's relationship status changed
from in a relationship to single). Don't you know that there's
danger out there? Based from an article written by Derbyshire, David 13,
social networking websites are causing alarming changes in the brains
of young users, an eminent scientist has warned. Sites such as
Facebook, Twitter and Bebo are said to shorten attention spans,
encourage instant gratification and make young people more selfcentred. But while these sites are popular - and extremely profitable - a
growing number of psychologists and neuroscientists believe they may
be doing more harm than good. An author of Toxic Childhood, Sue
Palmer, said: We are seeing children's brain development damaged
because they don't engage in the activity they have engaged in for
millennia. I'm not against technology and computers. But before they
start social networking, they need to learn to make real relationships
20

with people.
Addiction is really a big thing to matter by a social networking
fanatic. Steinfield, Charles14 stated that todays youth dont know or
dont remember a time when they werent going online.
While such networks have made people, communities and
groups with shared interests stay more connected, Internet addiction
and social network addiction in particular also started being recognized
as psychological disorders all over the world. While several 90s
studies focused on Internet addiction, the next decade saw the growth
of a new addiction related to all manner of social networking sites,
especially the current king of the jungle: Facebook, Veronica
Pamoukaghlian15 wrote.
Greek psychiatrists even argued that a woman, who had gone as
far as losing her job on account of her compulsion to check and update
her Facebook, could be identified as a social network addict. Even
celebrities have issues to SNS addiction. Based from an article posted
in The Telegraph16, Jennifer Aniston has reportedly ended her
relationship with musician boyfriend John Mayer because he is
obsessed with Twitter, it has been alleged. Take note that addiction is
just one negative influence of SNS. It could lead to many potential
dangers like relationship break-up.

Local Studies
21

Aside from foreign literature and studies, local Filipinos are also
aroused by matters regarding social networking sites. SNS have hit the
mind of local researchers, thus, they conducted studies as well.
Social Network Sites, such as the wildly popular, are rapidly
becoming a problem for schools. It has been observed that even during
school days, students from schools are staying in computer shops.
Based on the interviews conducted by Baloncio 17 to the fourth year
students in Sapang National Highscool in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan,
they reasoned out that they were staying in the internet shops because
they wanted to browse and post comments on their social network
sites. According to them, they felt fulfilled if they regularly viewed their
social network site account.
This interview just concluded that SNSs really are addictive. But
be careful!!, because according to the study, Internet Chat Addiction
among De La Salle University Students18, majority of DLSU students
who are addicted to chatting, experienced sleep disorders (e.g.
insomnia) as they try to stay awake and be on-line even during the
wee hours.
Signs of computer dependency - from time to time it may not
accumulate much of one's time, but later on he will be automatically
drove in front of the monitor to view if someone tagged him in a photo,
if his friend notified him about their experience whilst watching the
UAAP cheer dance competition 2011, and if his crush sent him a

22

friendship confirmation.
In fact, Chua, Allyson, et. al. 19 agreed that procrastination and
time-wasting is a major issue in this debate about the effect of SNS
among students. They added that it directly causes the gradual drop of
students' grades. It directly affects ones' academic performance if he
invests his time in social networking sites instead in his studies. That
the time which could be spent in reading, studying and taking rests are
rather spent in playing, chatting, socializing, and keeping up with
friends which may be done after they have finished their school
requirements. This shows that a lot of students have difficulty in
prioritizing the most important things. It is important to learn how to
balance one's time and to know one's priorities first before engaging
oneself to other activities. As a student, it is important to remember
that the number one priority should be academics rather than
entertainment.
And not just a place for their entertainment needs but also, SNSs
serve as a rendezvous for dating between lovers. An exploratory study
done by Billedo, Cherrie Joy 20 was formed which investigated the
formation of interpersonal attraction and romantic relationships on the
Internet Relay Chat.
According to her research, males are more insistent when it
comes to meeting in person. Females on the other hand are the ones
who are more inclined to have other forms of communication. This

23

result is consistent with the idea that males give more importance to
physical aspect of the relationship than females.
The respondents of her research seemed to echo the sentiment
that online interaction is an ideal venue to establish romantic
relationships. Online interaction is seen only as instrumental in
initiating and facilitating intimacy. The couple must meet in person to
make romantic relationship complete. For them, purely online romantic
relationship, without the prospect of meeting in person, is not real.
But, the major difference of online form in-person romantic
relationships is the acceleration of intimacy online.
Moving further, based on a research done by Asilo, John Manuel,
et. al.

21

, out of 239 respondents from their college, 14.64% use these

SNS for more than 6 hours a day, while 31.80% accumulate 3-4 hours
online, and 11.30% use SNS for 5-6 hours.
Think of what you can do in 6 hours other than checking your
SNS account. Someone may have already memorized the 22 sections
of Article III Bill of Rights and has passed his political governance
subject. Someone may have visited the National Library and finished
one of the chapters in his research paper for Technical Reading and
Writing class. Someone may have spent more time doing household
chores and devoted much time for his family. And someone may have
attended a mass to thank God for all the glory.
Meanwhile, on a contrasting details presented by Baloncio 22, she

24

argued that the maximum achievement in Information Communication

Technology subject of fourth year highschool students who participated
in her study is 94 and is interpreted as very satisfactory. She even
came up with the aftermath that the behaviour of the respondents in
terms of socialization(mean of 3.87 and 1.196 SD) and study habits
were

both

interpreted

responsibilities(X=4.13

at

as

highly

0.907

desirable;

SD),

and

interpreted

for

as

home

extremely

desirable.
She even came up with a surprising finding that there is a
significant difference between male and female students' exposures to
SNS students' achievement in an Information Communication
Technology

subject,

behaviour

in

terms

of

study

habits,

and

socialization. All of the cases were dominated by females except in

terms of socialization wherein males more tend to socialize than
female.
Students may be the focus of this research, however, the
researchers also want to open the possibility of social networking sites'
other contributions. According to Elbanbuena, Norbert A. 23, social
networking sites do have other contributions to society. Pharmaceutical
companies had been trying to gain influence on the opinion of the
leaders of social networks because of the latters wide sphere of clout.
Also, social networks had been considered helpful to members with
physical and mental illness. Simply, SNS offer privileges and benefits to

25

anyone with disorder, may it be a student or not.

Local Literature
In a country where it rains six months of the year, dealing with
rain and its consequences becomes a necessary part of life. If there are
times wherein cats and dogs are falling from the sky (heavy rain),
students from different schools are the most affected; even worse if his
home is too far away from his alma mater.
Over the past years, climate change has brought about changing
weather patterns that have not always led to stronger typhoons, but
have been no less disruptive due to extremes in rainfall, flash floods
and other such disasters in certain areas.
A column from Phil. Star24 said that these realities have given a
new context to the question of when classes are suspended due to bad
weather or its impact. There is also the question as to why the
Commission on Higher Education (CHED) continues to believe that the
schools themselves are in the best position to decide on the
suspension of classes, and continues to maintain its policy to empower
these institutions to do so.
A meeting between CHED and colleges and universities in Metro
Manila on dealing with class suspension revealed that social media
mainly Facebook and Twitter as well as mobile phones, have been
crucial in relaying information about the weather and decisions about

26

classes.
In the past, colleges and universities would rely on the radio and
TV to get the message out that they had suspended classes. But the
last five years have seen more students connected on Facebook and
Twitter, and on their mobile phones, too, and schools have been quick
to use these channels of communication.
The most common way we inform our students on the
suspension of classes is through Facebook, said John Paul Vergara,
vice president for Loyola Schools of the Ateneo de Manila University.
That is where the students go as soon as there is word that schools
could cancel classes.
Here in University of the East, students always press F5 on their
keyboard to see if there have been any announcements posted by the
admin of UE (Official Fanpage) for the suspension of classes during
heavy rain. And when the admin declares the suspension of classes on
Facebook, few seconds after, and it spreads like wildfire - a very well
advantage of social networking sites.
Additionally, as cited from a journal written by Quina, Paolo on
University of the Philippines Forum 9(2)25, according to Prof. Danilo
Arao of the College of Mass Communication in UP, social networks
(SNS) have evolved into something that integrates the various
aspects of online life. Arao says since my network has grown to
include not only friends and colleagues, but most of my students as
27

well, it has become an effective way to disseminate information. Arao

says, adding that he uses his Friendster to circulate electronic copies of
his newspaper columns and other bits of information; he believes that
his 'friends' should know about, such as announcements from the
University or College.
Social networking sites are said to be a virtual barangay at
tambayan where one can spread any news, announcements, or even
gossip by posting it on his account. It is beneficial in spreading what's
in.
Obviously, Facebook is the most popular SNS among Filipinos
today, particularly among the young. In fact, it isn't uncommon to hear
Filipino teens requesting someone they've just met to add them as a
Facebook friend.
All this free and open friending has raised concerns that those
growing up online might lack even the most basic social skills like
deference to authority and courtesy, because those things are not part
of the framework of social networking site. Remember that SNS
don't manipulate you; it's you who control a social networking
site. Yet, you can always change the situation- to be a slave by a
social networking site, it's your choice.
A considerable amount of work has been done in this field and
several articles are available on the internet and magazines about the
social networking sites. Anyway, the researchers are just making these

28

as guidelines to their work. Nonetheless, it is still the job of the

researchers to clear the problem regarding the positive and negative
impact of Social Networking Sites among students.
The researchers are just one of the people who struggled to
investigate and therefore ended up with a research paper about social
networking sites. But as long as there are questions that remain
unanswered, for scholars, the debate still continues.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
1. Hawkins,

K.

(n.d.). What

Site. Retrieved

on

is

August

Social
31,

Networking
2011

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-social-

from
networking-

site.html
2. Boyd, D., & Ellison, N. (2007). Social network sites:

Definition,

history, and scholarship. Journal of Computer-Mediated

Communication, 13(1), article 11. Retrieved on August 29, 2011
from http://jcmc.indiana.edu/vol13/issue1/boyd.ellison

.html

3. Vitak, (2008). p.20. Retrieved on August 29, 2011 from

http://www.scribd.com/doc/27327211/The-Influence- of-Social-

29

Networking-Sites-to-Interpersonal- Relationships-of-theStudents-of-Rogationist-College-High-School-Department-S-Y2009-2010
4. National School Boards Association (2007). p.6.
& CONNECTING//Research and Guidelines on
and Educational Networking.
from

CREATING
Online Social

Retrieved on August 31, 2011

http://socialnetworking.procon.org/sourcefiles/Cr
eateandConnect.pdf

5. ECAR (EDUCAUSE Center for Applied Research). (2008).

Retrieved

on

August

29,

p.81.

2011

from

http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ers0808/rs/ers08086.pdf
6. TechMediaNetwork

(2011).

Social

Networking

Websites

Review. Retrieved on Ausgust 31, 2011 from http://socialnetworking-websites-review.toptenreviews.com/

7. eBizMBA (2011). Top 15 Most Popular Social Networking

Sites.

Retrieved on Ausgust 31, 2011 from

http://www.ebizmba.com/articles/social-networking-websites
8. Nielsen Company. (2010). Time Spent on Social Networks
82% Around the World. para. 6. Retrieved on
2011

from

September

up
18,

http://www.briansolis.com/2010/02/time-spent-on-

social-networks-up-82-around-the-wrold

30

9. Terminal Illness. (2011). para.7. Retrieved on August 29,

2011

from
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/woman/health/health/355
1605/Dangers-of-sitting-at-computer-all-day.html
10.

Karpinski, A. (2010). p.2. Facebook and Academic

Performance. Retrieved on August 29, 2011 from

http://www.ehow.com/info_8580342_facebook-use-its-impactgpa.html
11.
Dela Cruz, G. (2002). The Psychosocial Factors affecting
Internet users and their relationship to selected variables. pp. 53.
12.
Conlin, J. (2011). Students Find Ways to Thwart Facebook
Bans. The New York Times September 4, 2011 issue. p.ST6.
Retrieved on September 18, 2011 from
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/04/fashion/students-find-waysto-thwart-facebook-bans.html?_r=3&ref=socialnetworking
13.
Derbyshire, D. (2009). Social websites harm children's
brains: Chilling warning to parents from top neuroscientist.
Retrieved on September 18, 2011

from

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1153583/Social-websitesharm-childrens-brains- Chilling-warning-parentsneuroscientist.html
14.
Steinfield, C. (2009). Social Network Sites and Society:
Current Trends and Future Possibilities. Retrieved on September
18, 2011 from

31

https://www.msu.edu/~nellison/EllisonLampeSteinfield2009.pdf
15.

Pamoukaghlian, V. (2011). Social Network Addiction A

Scientific No Mans Land?. Retrieved on September 18, 2011

from http://brainblogger.com/2011/01/07/social-networkaddiction-a-scientific-no-mans-land/
16.
The Telegraph (2009). Jennifer Aniston ended relationship
with John Mayer because of his Twitter 'obsession'. Retrieved on
September 18, 2011 from
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/twitter/5038203/JenniferAniston-ended-relationship-with-John-Mayer-because-of-hisTwitter-obsession.html
17.
Baloncio, M. (2009). Exposure to Social Network Sites
Communication in relation to achievement in Information
Communication Technology (ICT) subjcet and behavior of fourth
year students in Sapang National Highschool.
18.
Internet Chat Addiction among De La Salle University
Students. Cited from Dela Cruz, Gemmas (2002) The
Psychosocial Factors affecting Internet users and their
relationship to selected variables.
19.
Chua, N.A., et. al. (2009). Social Networking Sites affect
one's Academic Performance adversely.
20.
Billedo, C.J. (2004). The formation of Interpersonal
Attraction and Romantic Relationships on Internet relay chat: An
Explanatory Study.

32

21.

Asilo, J.M., et. al (2010). The Influence of Social Networking

Sites on the Interpersonal Relationships of Rogationist College

Students. page 29.
22.
Baloncio, M. (2009). Exposure to Social Network Sites
Communication in relation to achievement in Information
Communication Technology (ICT) subject and behavior of fourth
year students in Sapang National Highschool.
23.
Elbanbuena, N.A. (2009). The Internet and Social
Networking: Implications to the Social Development of Davao
City.
24.
The Philippine Star. (2011). Schools weather storms with
students through social networking and texting. Retrieved on
September 18, 2011 from http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?
articleId=714297&publicationSubCategoryId=71
25.
Quina, P. (2008). Hanging out with I.T. crowd: navigating
the tangled web of social networking. University of the
Philippines Forum 9(2). p.5.

CHAPTER III
PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA

This chapter presents the statistical analysis of data which the

corresponding interpretation of their results based on the statement of

33

the problem. It includes tables containing the data extracted from the
questionnaires and the analysis and interpretation of it.
The study on the various aspects of the social networking sites
yielded interesting results and lights up various dimensions of users
perceptions on social networking sites. The study also helps to
understand the use of SNSs among student community.

PART I. Respondents Profile:

The discussion on this section presents the profile of the
respondents in terms of age, gender, year level, average monthly
family income, and relationship status, as well as in terms of SNS
profile such as memberships to various SNSs, and number of friends
that they have online.
Table 1.1 Gender Classifications of the Respondents
Gender

Male

Female
TOTAL

Frequency

Percentage

21

70%

30%

30

100%

Table 1.1 shows the distribution of the samples through their

gender classification. Out of 30 respondents, males constituted
21(70%) and females were 9(30%).
It can be inferred that male constitutes a big part in SNS world.
Men might have been outnumbered women for they are more

34

aggressive in social life. Yet, women are more emotional and probably
prefer peer to peer socializing than the technology based linking.
Additionally, males accumulate more time in SNS for their
physical body are built to withstand more stress than females. It can be
true to computer games enthusiasts who allotted much time to online
games by making the night a day.

Table 1.2 Age of the Respondents

16
17
18
19
20

Age
yrs. old
yrs. Old
yrs. Old
yrs. Old
yrs. Old
TOTAL

Frequency
4
8
11
6
1
30

Percentage
13.33%
26.67%
36.67%
20%
3.33%
100%

Table 1.2 presents the age profile of the respondents, in which

11(36.67%) students are categorized to 18 years of age, while only
one(3.33%) is 20 years old and the other six(20%) are 19 yrs. old. And
the remaining eight (26.67%), and four (13.33%) respondents are 17
and 16 yrs. old, respectively.
From the table, it can be concluded that teens who are 18 years
old have more freedom than those under age. Parents of teens who are
below 18 years old, put restrictions with their freedom - might be
prohibiting them from staying online during late night.

35

Table 1.3 Year level of the Respondents

Year Level

Frequency

Percentage

20%

13

43.33%

First year

Second year

Third year

23.33%

Fourth year

13.33%

Fifth year

0%

100

100%

TOTAL

Using frequency and percentage the results in Table 1.3 shows

that out of 30 respondents, 13(43.33%) are from the second year level,
6(20%) are freshmen, 7(13.33%) are third year, and 4(13.33%) came
from the fourth year level, while theres no respondent from the fifth
year level.

Table 1.4 Respondents average familys Net Income monthly

Familys net income per
month

Frequency

Percentage

Below P10, 000

16.67%

P10,001 P20,000

20%

P20,001 P30,000

11

36.67%

P30,001 P40,000

3.33%

P40,001 P50,000

6.67%

P50, 000 above

16.67%

30

100%

TOTAL

Table 1.4 shows a majority (11 = 36.37%)of the samples whose

familys net income per month ranges from P20,001 P30,000. Only

36

1(3.33%) comes from a family with P30, 001 P40,000 average net
income monthly. And it appears that 5(16.67%) students comes from a
family with below P10, 000 and P50, 000 above average net income
monthly, while the rests belongs to a family that earns P40,001
P50,000 per month.
A family who earns P20, 000 P30, 000 monthly can buy a
personal computer indeed. Thus, having a computer in a house
increases the chance of being a SNS addict. Those who earns below
P20, 000, have their income which is just enough to fulfil their needs.
However, those who earn P30, 000 above have sufficient money to buy
a laptop, PC, to pay for internet or buy a mobile phone with internet
capability.

Table 1.5 Relationship status of the Respondents

Relationship Status

Frequency

Percentage

24

80%

Single

In a Relationship

20%

Married

0%

30

100%

TOTAL

Table 1.5 reveals the relationship status of the respondents

wherein out of all 30 respondents, 24(80%) are single or do not have
any commitment to anybody, no one is married, and only six (20%) are
taken and in a relationship with their boyfriends/girlfriends.
It can be inferred that single man are most likely to stay online

37

for the purpose of making friends who might be called as his partner
someday. It is just that single can allocate much time for social
networking because they are not tied with commitment to others, than
one who has a girlfriend who devoted much of his time for her
girlfriend in reality.

Table 1.6 Friends of Respondents

No. Of Friends

Frequency

Percentage

Below 100

0%

101 250

6.67%

251 500

26.67%

501 750

16.67%

751 1000

20%

1001 above

30%

30

100%

TOTAL

Table 1.6 shows the respondents numbers of friends on SNS. An

interesting revelation tells that the majority (9, 30%) of the population
have 1001 and above online friends, while no one got friends within a
range of 100 below. And 5(16.67%) of them have 500 751 friends
online.
Due to the fact that Filipinos are known to be friendly, it can be
conclude that it is the reason why SNS aficionados have more than
1000 friends. This increases the possibility of dangers brought by
strangers and stalkers.

38

Table 1.7 Social Networking Sites Membership

Having a SNS
account?

Frequency

Percentage

Yes

30

100%

No

0%

30

100%

TOTAL

Table 1.7 presents if the respondents are members of any social

networking sites, hence, it magnificently exposes that all 30(100%) are
members of SNS.
Of course, it is already 21st century. People are just making use of
the ease that the technology gives. Instead of travelling miles and
miles just to talk with a relative, someone can already have a chat to
them through wireless communication over the internet; even if they
are in both ends of the globe. Technology just makes life easy. And
internet is a product of technology, so does the social networking sites.
No one can say that 100% of all the people use SNS, but one can
conclude that the majority of them do.

Social Networking Site

Frequency
(out of 30)

Percentage

Facebook.com

30

100%

Myspace.com

0%

Friendster.com

12

40%

39

Multiply.com

16.67%

Tumblr.com

13.33%

Twitter.com

12

40%

Others

0
Table 1.8 Social Networking Sites Accounts

0%

Table 1.8 shows the respondents accounts in different social

networking sites. It clarifies that 100% of the respondents are
members of Facebook, and it seems that neither of the students want
the so called Myspace social networking site. Meanwhile, Multiply only
gains 5(16.67%) memberships from the samples. Moreover, 12(40%)
students have both Friendster and Twitter accounts.
Facebook offers things that are not applicable to other SNS.
Facebook has already penetrated the lives of the Filipinos. Online
Filipinos certainly have spending power. Most families of overseas
Filipino workers are online and the researchers suspect that theyre one
of the heaviest Facebook user groups. This also reflects not just the
popularity of Facebook but its ease-of-use, particularly for OFW
families, who have to constantly communicate and, most importantly,
share every bit of news and gossip and what-not. (The doomed
Friendster was also partly powered by this culture of sharing and
coping among OFWs.) And Filipinos also love entertainments!. Twitter is
their way to know the every second status of their favourite actors and
actresses.

40

Table 1.9 Respondents SNS preference of choice

Social Networking
Site

Rank
according to
the
Respondents
choice
1st

Frequency
(out of 30)

Percentag
e

28

93.33%

Facebook.com

Twitter.com

2nd

15

50%

Friendster.com

3rd

26.67%

Multiply.com

4th

12

40%

Myspace.com

5th

30%

Tumblr.com

6th

20%

Others

7th

26

86.67%

Table 1.9 reveals the ranking of social networking sites according

to the respondents. It shows that not only does Facebook gain the
popularity but also it tops the ranking with 28(93.33%) votes. In
contrast, other non popular SNSs are beyond the respondents
preference of choice wherein they placed as the last SNS from the
ranking with 26(86.67%) votes. Coming from the middle order or 4 th
place is Multiply with 12(40%) votes. Other social networking sites
such as Twitter (15 or 50% of the votes), Friendster (3 or 8% of the
votes), Myspace (9 or 300% of the votes), Tumblr (6 or 20% of the
votes) are ranked as 2nd, 3rd, 5th, and 6th, respectively.
Facebook really deserves to be the cream of the top. Facebook is
designed to connect people, with a bonus of extra features and
incredible applications like photo and video sharing, social gaming,
status updating and many more that absolutely attracts many
41

individuals.
But while Facebook Company enjoys the pleasure of superiority,
their users are suffers. It may be the best and good SNS ever, yet its
also the riskiest social media application ever. This is not a surprise to
many who deal with Internet security. It may, however, surprise those
who use Facebook on a regular basis. Especially those who bare their
souls about very personal issues in their lives, and have proudly filled
in every personal information blank on their profiles. Its this openness,
in this world of identity theft and other cybercrime, that make the
500+ million Facebook users a dream come true to the cybercrime
industry.

PART II. Exposure to Social Networking Sites:

This part will mainly be focusing on the respondents exposure to
social networking sites. However, it also provides other pertinent data
such as respondents details whether the respondents have a personal
computer at home where can they access the in internet. Furthermore,
it also displays information about the respondents frequency of time
online.
The findings came from the manipulation and analysis of the
data given by the respondents. They are as follows:

42

Table 2.1 Respondents Access to the Internet

Means of Internet Access
Personal Computer
Internet Shop
TOTAL

Frequency
27
3
30

Percentage
90%
10%
100%

Table 2.1 presents the respondents means of accessing the

Internet. Out of 30 respondents, 27(90%) of them get through the
Internet via their personal computer at home, yet the other 3(10%)
goes to the Internet shop.
As mentioned earlier, most students are part of families who can
afford to buy a computer for general purposes, thus, most of students
have their personal computer or if not, laptops at home. This fact
increases the possibility of students overexposure to SNS because of
the unlimited access of internet at home.

Table 2.2 Respondents Browsing Schedule

Frequency of Browsing
Every day
3 4 times a week
1 2 times a week
1 2 times a month
1 2 times a year
TOTAL

Frequency
17
8
5
0
0
30

Percentage
56.67%
26.67%
16.67%
0%
0%
100%

This table reveals the respondents habit or schedule in browsing

the Internet or staying log in to SNS. It says that every day, the
majority

(17=56.67%)

of

the

respondents

43

access

the

Internet.

Meanwhile, it seems that no one wishes to stay online every 1-2 times
a month and 1-2 times a year. And 8(26.67%) of them are available for
chatting 3-4 times a week, while the remaining 5 prefers to log in 1-2
times in any days of a week.
These shocking findings might conclude that students are nearly
addicted to SNS. The majority log in SNS every day. They dont let any
minute passed without checking their notifications on Facebook. This
increases the dangers associated with SNS to them.

Table 2.3 Time spent on SNS

Time spent on SNS

5 6 hours/day
3 4 hours/day
1 2 hours/day
3 4 hours/week
3 4 hours/month
3 4 hours/year
TOTAL

Frequency
4
9
14
3
0
0
30

Percentage
13.33%
30%
46.67%
10%
0%
0%
100%

Table 2.3 shows the duration of time spent on social networking

sites. 14(46.67%) of the population accumulates 1-2 hours/day for
social networking. Only a few (4=13.33%) use 5-6 hours/day for social
networking. And 9(30%) of them spent 3-4 hours/day.
With this finding it can be concluded that social network sites is
quite attractive and could possibly be addictive to students. However,
in the same manner in online gaming, childrens addiction is measured
in terms of how heavy video game use affects a childs social and

44

personal life. It is very revealing to note in Table 2.4 that it could mean
that the members of social network sites communication begin their
life in an online community. Some surveys even say that virtual
networking has overtaken real socializing for some people.

PART III. The Impacts of Social Networking Sites

This portion will tackles the very impacts of social networking
sites on the students. It does include the positivity of the effect as well
as the contrary of the it. From this analysis, one can figure out if the
respondents agreed or disagreed from the situation questions given to
them. Additionally, this also encompasses the effects of SNS on the
behaviour of students, may it be their behaviour in school or at home.
The following manipulations are generalized (e.g. what is the
mean vote, together with its interpretation, of the students in the
situation, Are social networking sites help to communicate and keep in
touch with friends and family?) so that the reader may easily
understands the result of the findings.
Be guided by the following scale for interpretation:
4.51

5.00 = Strongly Agree

3.51

4.50 = Agree

2.51
1.51
1.0

3.50 = Undecided
2.50 = Disagree
1.50 = Strongly Disagree

A. Positive and Negative Impact of SNS on Students

45

Table 3.1 The Positive Effects of Social Networking Sites

Pros (positive side, benefits,
advantages)

Mean

1. Social networking sites help to

communicate and keep in touch with
friends and family.

4.80

2. Chatting through SNS is relaxing

because
it
provides
unlimited
entertainment.
3. It serves as a forum to express my
opinions and views.
4. Browsing any SNS, helps to be more
familiarized with the computer (such as
profile, home links, file menu, etc.)

4
4
4.03

5. It helps to make new friends with

common interests and likes.

4.10

6. It enhances my typing skills.

3.90

7. It improves my creativity (e.g. photo

editing)

3.73

8. SNS is a tool to find someone to date,

build intimacy through virtual ligawan
and then serves to form romantic
relationship. (bf/gf, lovers)
9. SNS enhances my communication
skills.
10. It keeps us to date whenever there
are announcements at school (e.g. class
suspension)
11. It is an effective way to disseminate
information. (e.g. profs. post lectures on
SNS)
TOTAL MEAN

4.024

2.90

4.13
4.4

4.27

Interpretation
Strongly Agree

Agree
Agree
Agree
Agree
Agree
Agree

Undecided

Agree
Agree

Agree

AGREE

Table 3.1 presents the weighted mean of the respondents votes

on various cases presented to them on the survey questionnaires,

46

together with the interpretation for every value of it. The situations
given to them are all classified as the pros of social networking sites
among students.
From the table, it clearly shows that the population strongly
agrees (mean score of 4.80) with the concept of SNS in providing miles
to miles wireless communication, either with family or friends.
However, when they were asked if SNS is a tool to find someone to
date, build intimacy through virtual ligawan and then serves to form
romantic relationship (bf/gf, lovers), they would probably be undecided
(mean score of 2.90).
In oppose, they agree in certain positive effects of SNS that
might be helpful in their study. It includes the fact that frequent
viewing on SNS helps to be more familiarized with the computer (such
as profile, home links, file menu, etc.). By the same token, they also
agrees that SNS enhances their typing skills which might be a suitable
advantage

for

any

computer-related

course

like

Information-

technology, ComSci, and Computer Engineering; that SNS improves

their

creativity

(e.g.

photo

editing);

that

SNS

enhances

their

communication skills which are one of the benefits that could be

applied for communication related course as broad communication,
mass communication, call center agent and the likes.
In the same manner, most of the respondents say that they
agree in the case wherein chatting through SNS is relaxing due to the

47

unlimited entertainment it offers, as well as in the situation wherein

SNS serves as a forum in expressing opinions, views, and feelings and
helps to build friendship with others with common interests and likes.
And when someone speaks about news or information sharing,
respondents really are thumbs up with SNS. It means a lot to every
student. One can know if the classes are suspended due to flooding
from different areas, if his professors have already uploaded the
lectures or assignments, if the UE fan page from facebook has already
posted the schedules for the foundation week, if his classmates have
any homework when he was sick, and if his girlfriend changed her
relationship status from in a relationship to single.
Based on the observations, students find many positive impacts
of SNS that really help in their study. These benefits are aiding every
student in their school work. Moreover, these pros are what students
really need.

Table 3.2 The Negative Effects of Social Networking Sites

Cons (negative side, drawbacks, and
disadvantages)

Mean

Interpretation

1. Social networking sites are addictive.

3.93

Agree

2. I prefer socializing online than in

reality.

2.67

Undecided

3. Im having a sleep disorder (insomnia)

because of staying online even at late
night.

2.83

Undecided

48

4. I spend a lot of money just to stay

online.

1.83

Disagree

5. I experience cyber-bullying or cyber

stalking.

1.77

Disagree

6. SNS might leave a history that could

cause me problems in the future like
misuse of info.

3.1

Undecided

7. Im aware that excessive exposure on

computer screen can cause personality,
physical and brain disorders. (e.g. ADHD,
blindness)

4.13

Agree

TOTAL MEAN

2.90

UNDECIDED

Table 3.2 shows the list of dangers and disadvantages associated

with SNS in relation to its effects, along with the corresponding mean
of the respondents votes and interpretation of its value.
Respondents given data have been tallied in the table and
interpreted, and most of them agree (mean score of 3.93) that social
networking sites absolutely are, addictive. But, they also argued that
they disagree with the assumption that they spend lots of money just
to stay online and that they experience cyber-bullying or cyberstalking.
Furthermore, asking if they prefer socializing online than in
reality, and if they are having a sleep disorder (insomnia) because of
staying online even at late night, the table shows that they are
undecided. It means that they are thinking if they do or dont. Likewise,
the sample size is also undecided or having a doubt if SNS might leave
a history that could cause them problems in the future like misuse of

49

information.
Lastly, its good to know that the respondents are aware that
excessive exposure on computer screen can cause personality,
physical and brain disorders. (e.g. ADHD, blindness).
It can be concluded that many of the students are still wondering
about the negative impacts of SNS on them. This was supported by the
total mean which is 2.90 and is interpreted as undecided.
B. Behavioral Effect of SNS on Students
This portion will be dealing with the impact of social networking
sites on students both in school and at home. It displays the sample
situations which the students answered. Likewise it includes the mean
and the interpretation for each condition.
In order to be simply analyzed by the reader, the scale range of
interpretation for each situation is given at the beginning of part two.
Anyhow, the general mean is interpreted in different way in which the
scale is given
4.21 5.00 =
3.41 4.20 =
2.61 3.40 =
1.80 2.60 =
1.00 1.80 =

below.
Extremely Desirable
Highly Desirable
Desirable
Satisfactory Desirable
Undesirable

Table 3.3 Behavior of Respondents in School

Behavior at SCHOOL ( study habits,
report card)

Mean

Interpretation

1. I always log in to my SNS account

whenever there is a free time at school.

3.33

Undecided

2. I cut my classes just to stay online

1.3

Strongly

50

with SNS.

Disagree

3. Theres a decline in my grades due to

social networking addiction.

Disagree

4. I use my money intended for recess

just to pay for rent at the internet shop.

1.53

Strongly
Disagree

5. I use SNS to communicate with my

classmates about course related topics.
(e.g. for assign.)

4.2

Agree

6. I use SNS to communicate with my

instructors about course related topics.

3.63

Agree

7. I browse the internet to help me in my

assign.

4.47

Strongly Agree

8. I prefer reviewing lessons than being

online.

3.77

Agree

9. I used to log in SNS by means of proxy

servers in my computer class even if the
school blocked or prohibited the access
of those sites.

2.5

Disagree

10. I post statements on SNS to bully (or

annoy) my classmate.

2.17

Disagree

TOTAL
MEAN

2.89

DESIRABLE

Table 3.3 shows that in general, the behavior of the respondents

in school has a mean of 2.89 with range interpretation of desirable.
Breaking it one by one, the conditions where most of the
respondents agree is that they browse the internet to help them in
their assignments; that they use SNS to communicate with their
classmates and instructors about course related topics; and that they
prefer reviewing lessons than being online.
From the table, an amazing revelation tells that the students
strongly disagree about the cutting class habit. They never cut
51

classes just to stay online on SNS. Meanwhile, they are undecided if

they log in to SNS during their spare time at school.
And it seems that they disagree with the other cases of scenarios
like using money intended for recess just to pay for rent at the internet
shop, and using proxy servers in computer class to log in SNS even if
the school blocked or prohibited the access of those sites. In the same
manner, these are good findings that the students disagree that
theres been a decline in their grades due to SNS addiction.
With desirable as the overall total mean of the score, it can be
inferred that the students behaviour at school is neither nice nor good.

Table 3.4 Behavior of Respondents at Home

Behavior at HOME (e.g chore
responsibilities)

Mean

Interpretation

1. I ask money from my parents to pay

for rent at the internet shop.

1.73

Strongly
Disagree

2. I fix my beddings before I open my

computer.

3.45

Agree

3. I perform specific household chores

assigned to me at home.

3.70

Agree

4. I follow & obey orders coming from

elders.

4.17

Agree

5. I help my family do household chores,

willingly and cheerfully.

4.07

Agree

6. I leave my household chores

unfinished whenever I get bored.

2.43

Disagree

7. I attend to my parents request first

even if Im browsing the net or doing
something else.

3.8

Agree

8. I dont want to be disturbed while

2.47

Disagree

52

chatting my friends through SNS, thus, I

always stay inside the room and prefer
to be alone.
9. My parents praise me and tell other
people that I am a good boy/girl every
time I do my work at home thoroughly.
TOTAL MEAN

3.27

3.63

Agree

DESIRABLE

Similarly, table 3.4 reveals that in general, the behavior of the

respondents at home has a mean of 3.27 with range interpretation of
desirable.
The majority of the respondents choose to agree with most of the
presented situations. The table shows that they perform specific
household chores assigned to them at home and help each member of
the family in doing household tasks with willingness and cheerfulness.
They even follow and obey orders coming from elders and attend to
their parents request first whilst browsing the net or doing something
else. With this nice behaviour, the respondents even clarify that their
parents praise them and tell other people that they are good boys/girls
every time they do their work at home thoroughly.
Moreover, its nice to hear that they never ask money from their
parents to pay for rent at the internet shop; that they never leave their
household chores whenever getting bored; and that they dont prefer
to stay inside the room and be alone because of the annoying moment
of getting disturbed while having a chat with friends online.
Likewise, the behaviour of students at home are not that nice or

53

good. It may vary depending on their mood. Some of them are not
actually responsible, while the others are.
PART IV. Testing the Hypotheses
This category talks about the significant differences of factors
that might be involved in social networking problems. Briefly, it
presents details if theres any significant differences that exists
between opposite genders in regards with using social networking; if
theres enough evidence to prove the claim that a student who are
single in status are more prone to social networking; and if ones
familys net income per month have a correlation in using SNS.
Remember that the findings below are tested using the chi-square test.

Table 4.1 Gender Differences on Social Networking

O

O-E

(O E)2

(O E)2/E

Male

21

15

36

2.4

Female

15

-6

36
TOTAL
(X2)

2.4

Gender

(Significant at 0.05 level)df=1

4.80

As shown in Table 4.1 there is a significant difference between

male and female respondents. Due to the computed value wherein the
result yields to 4.80 and is greater than to the bench mark of 3.84 with
degree of freedom equal to 1, one may have enough evidence to
conclude that males and females of the target population are in fact
different. Since the result of the chi-square test is greater than the

54

level of significance, someone should reject the null hypothesis

wherein males and females do not have any significant differences and
therefore, accept the research hypothesis which is already stated in
the statement of the problem.
But, it does not conform to the study that women use social
networking than men do. Mobile VoIP Company Rebtel and Harris
Interactive1 found that of the 93 per cent of the US adult online
population that communicates with friends in ways other than in
person,

68

per

cent

of

women

use

social

media.

This compares to only 54 per cent of men, who are likelier to use
their phone to keep in contract with friends, work colleagues and
family.
Yet, in contrast, according to LinkedIn2 study men are better at
social networking than women. And an interview from the article
reveals a reason on why women arent as active as men on SNS. He
says, While women are great communicators, men are more actively
engaged in reaching out. Women also make few but deeper
connections. Were also finding that men are more comfortable with
technology, and women may be better at networking in person.
And by any means, men are more tend to talk to strangers and
send friend confirmation to other users who he doesnt know either,
than females. Of course, females are concern with their security.

55

Table 4.2 Relationship Status Differences on Social Networking

Relationship Status

O
24

E
10

OE
14

(O E)2
196

(O E)2/E
19.6

In a Relationship

10

-4

16

1.6

Married

10

-10

100
TOTAL(
X2)

10

Single

(Significant at 0.05 level)df=2

Table

4.2

reveals

the

significant

differences

31.2

between

respondents relationship status in using social networking. It clearly

shows that the result of the test (31.2) is much higher than 5.99 which
is the value of degree of freedom 2.
People who dont have a partner in life tend to see always online
on SNS. Why? Because theyre looking for someone to date, for
someone that will say YES, and for someone that they will court.
Plus, singles have their very time to socialize with others may it be to
girls or boys because they have freedom. No one will be jealous if a
single boy makes some diskarte with a girl.
On the other hand, those who have in a relationship with____
info on their Facebook might as well be driven by the power of SNS to
connect people from distant. Believe it or not, its really hard to not so
be sure if your partner has gone home safely. You really need to send
her a message on Facebook. And its a must.

Table 4.3 Familys Net Income Differences on Social Networking

56

Familys net income

per month

O-E

(O E)2

(O E)2/E

Below P10, 000

P10,001 P20,000

0.2

P20,001 P30,000

11

36

7.2

P30,001 P40,000

-4

16

3.2

P40,001 P50,000
P50, 000 above

2
5

5
5

-3
0

9
0
TOTAL(
X2)

1.8
0

(Significant at 0.05 level)df=5

12.4

As presented in table 4.3, there are significant differences that

exist between the respondents familys net incomes. By means of chisquare test the result yields to 12.4- greater than the significant value
mark which 11.1 is.
Money is a big deal in Social networking. No one can access the
internet without paying the PLDT Company, without having a personal
computer or laptops on their home, and without money to pay for rent
in Internet shop. Just see how money can connect people wirelessly.
Those belonging to lower class family who cant afford computer
might not be prone to SNS addiction for they value every cent he
possessed; that in lieu of paying rent at the net shop, he might as well
use this for other important purposes. This was common to provinces.
And those wealthy people who not just own computers, laptops,
iphone, ipad, and other gadgets but also branches of Internet shops,
do have unlimited access to Web 2.0. Every day, every minute and
even every second they can post status saying, Hey Im using my new

57

Iphone 5, and its really great. From these scenarios, we can infer
that rich people are more prone to dangers relating to SNS than those
less fortunate. Obviously, its just because they have all the time to
stay online because of their capability to do so than poor people dont
possess.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
1. Women use social networking sites more than men do,
study. (2011). Para. 1-3. Retrieved on

says

October 9, 2011 from

http://www.womenintechnology.co.uk/news/women-use-socialnetworking-sites-more-than-men-do-says-study-news-800737901
2. Levin-Epstein. (2011). LinkedIn study: are better at
social
networking than women. Retrieved on October 9, 2011 from
http://moneywatch.bnet.com/career-advice/blog/onjob/linkedin-study-men-are-better-at-socialnetworking-thanwomen/1001/
3. ECAR (EDUCAUSE Center for Applied Research. (2008).
Networking Sites. P.81. Retrieved on

Social

October 9, 2011 from

http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ers0808/rs/ers08086.pdf

58

CHAPTER IV
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS, AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
This study designed to understand the various pros and cons and
impacts of SNSs which are used by the student community, revealed
interesting results. The study throws light upon some important factors
regarding the uses of social networking sites among the students. To
materialize the broad objective of the study the researcher had set the
statement of the problem and some hypothesis. A total sample of 30
respondents, in the age group of 16 20 years, has been randomized
selected from different colleges and year levels.
A.SUMMARY OF FINDINGS:
Problem 1. What is the profile of the students in terms of:
1.1 Gender
Out of 30 respondents, males constituted 70% of the total
sample size with a number of 21. Meanwhile, only 9(30%) women
participated the survey.
1.2 Age
From the total size of 30 respondents, 4 or 13.33% of them are
16 yrs. of age, 8 or 26.67% are 17 yrs. old, 11(36.67%) are 18 years
old, 6 or 20% are of 19 years of age and only 1(3.33%) is 20 years old.
1.3 Year Level

59

Freshmen constitute 20% (6) of the population sample, while a

majority of 13 (43.33%) sophomores lend time to answer the survey
questionnaire. Meanwhile, out of the 30 respondents, 7 (23.33%)
students come from third year level, 4 (13.33%) students come from
the fourth year level, and no fifth year level students participated.
1.4 Relationship Status
Out of 30 students who joined the survey, an outnumbering 24
(80%) students are single when it comes to relationship status, while
only 6(20%) said they have boyfriends and girlfriends, and no student
has a husband/wife.
1.5 Average monthly family income
Out of 30 respondents, 5(16.67%) of them comes from a family
with net income of below P10,000 monthly, 6(20%) of them comes
from a family with net income of below P10,001 P20, 000 monthly,
while the majority of them are 11(36.67%) belonging to families who
earn P20,001 P30,000 per month. Furthermore, one (3.33%) student
belongs to a family earning P30, 001 P40, 000 income, two (6.67%)
comes from P40,001 P50,000 earner,

and five (16.67%) of them

comes from a family with net income of P50, 000 above.

Problem 2. What is the profile of the students in terms of
Social Networking Sites?
2.1 Most preferred Social Networking Sites
Given a list of social networking sites, it is clear that Facebook

60

ranked 1 from the respondents most preferred SNS with a total vote of
28(93.33%). Consecutively, Twitter came next, coping the second place
with 15 votes (50%), Friendster secured the third spot having 8 winning
votes(26.67%), Multiply placed 4th among others with 12 votes or 40%
of all the respondents. Continuously, Myspace ranked 5 th having 9
(30%) votes, Tumblr placed second to the last with 6(20%) votes, and
the remaining last spot is given to other SNS.
2.2 Number of friends on SNS
Out of 30 respondents, no one got friends below 100, 2(6.67%)
have 101-250 friends on SNS, 8(26.67%) have 251-500 friends,
8(16.67%) have 501-750 friends, 6(20%) got 751-1000 SNS friends,
and a majority of 9(30%) have 1001 above friends.
2.3 Frequency of using
Most of the respondents (17, 56.67%) log in to SNS daily, while
the other 8(26.67%) check their account for 3 4 times in a week. The
remaining 5(16.67%) view the SNS for 1 2 times a week. But, no one
ever use SNS for 1 2 times a month nor 1 2 times a year.
More than that, in terms of time consumed on SNS, 4(13.33%)
says they use SNS for 5-6 hours a day, and 9(30%) spent 3-4 hours per
day. Meanwhile, majority of the population sample (14, 46.67%) use
SNS for 1-2 hours/day and the other 3(10%) view SNS for 3 4
hours/week. Then, it seems no one has viewed SNS for 3 4
hours/month or 3 4 hours/year.

61

Problem 3. How do they find the impacts of SNS when it comes

to:
3.A Pros (positive side, benefits, advantages) &
Cons (negative side, drawbacks, disadvantages)
The population strongly agrees that social networking sites help
to communicate and keep in touch with friends and family. And they
are still wondering or undecided in their decision if SNS is a tool to find
someone to date, build intimacy through virtual ligawan and then
serves to form romantic relationship. (bf/gf, lovers). On the contrary,
the

conditions

presented

below

have

undergone

respondents

perspective, and it seems that they agree with it:

1. Chatting through SNS is relaxing because it provides unlimited
entertainment.
2. It serves as a forum to express my opinions and views.
3. Browsing any SNS, helps to be more familiarized with the
computer (such as profile, home links, file menu, etc.).
4. It helps to make new friends with common interests and
5.
6.
7.
8.

likes.
It enhances my typing skills.
It improves my creativity (e.g. photo editing).
SNS enhances my communication skills.
It keeps us to date whenever there are announcements at

school (e.g. class suspension).

9. It is an effective way to disseminate information. (e.g. profs.
post lectures on SNS).

62

Overall, the whole respondents decided to agree with the

positive impacts of SNS presented to them with a total mean score of
4.024 and interpreted as Agree.
On the other hand, when talks about the cons of social
networking, its interesting to know that majority of the sample size
agrees that social networking sites are addictive and they are aware
that excessive exposure on computer screen can cause personality,
physical and brain disorders. (e.g. ADHD, blindness). Having doubt,
they are still undecided if they prefer socializing online than in reality;
if they are having a sleep disorder (insomnia) because of staying online
even at late night; and if SNS might leave a history that could cause
them problems in the future like misuse of info.
And if asked if they spend a lot of money just to stay online and if
they experience cyber-bullying or cyber-stalking on SNS, they would
probably disagree.
The total interpretation of the mean score 2.90 results to the
overall decision which is Undecided when it comes to negative
impacts of social networking.
3.A.1 Behavior in school
Based from the analysis and interpretation, the general behavior
of all the respondents in school is desirable. It was interpreted via

63

total mean score of 2.89.

3.A.2 Behavior at home

The analysis shows that in general, the behavior of the sample
population at home has a total mean score of 3.27 and is interpreted
as desirable, just as similar to the behavior in school.
Hypotheses
Prediction 1. There is a significant difference that exists between male
and female in terms of using social networking sites.
The study shows that there is a significant difference that exists
between opposite sex having a chi-square result of 4.80 higher than
the bench mark 3.84 from the alpha value.
Prediction 2.

There is enough evidence to prove the claim that

students who are single in status are more prone to social

networking.
There

are

significant

differences

between

respondents

relationship status with a mean score of 31.2, much greater than the
significant value 5.99.
Prediction 3. Respondents familys net income per month has a
correlation in using SNS.
There

are

significant

differences
64

that

exist

between

the

respondents familys net incomes. By means of chi-square test the

result yields to 12.4 - greater than the significant value mark which
11.1 is.

B.CONCLUSIONS
Based on the findings of the study, the following conclusions are
derived:
1. The students agree with the benefits of social networking
presented in this research.
2. The students are still undecided with the disadvantages of SNSs
impact on them.
3. Social networking sites have influenced the behaviour of several
students making their behaviour at school considered as
desirable.
4. Likewise, the behaviour of students at home is also considered
desirable.
5. There is a significant difference that exists between male and
female in terms of using social networking sites.
6. There is enough evidence to prove the claim that students who
are single in status are more prone to social networking. It means
that

there

are

significant

differences

present

between

respondents relationship status.

7. Respondents familys net income per month has a correlation in
using SNS.

65

Hence, the findings led to partial acceptance of the hypothesis.

C.RECOMMENDATIONS
Guided by the findings extracted from the details given by the
respondents,

the

researchers

have

formulated

the

following

recommendations:
1.

The office of the guidance counsellors should conduct a

seminar or perhaps a symposium where students can share their
perspective about SNS. The seminar must focus on the impacts
of SNS on students especially to students behaviour.

2.

Parents should know how SNS affects the daily lives of their
children

and

should

monitor

the

use

of

SNS

of

their

sons/daughters. They should also be aware of the positive and

negative impacts of SNS on their children.
3.

Students should focus on more important things like

studying instead of filling the needs of their entertainments.

4.

Dangers are closely linked to social networking sites when

not use properly, therefore it is advisable if the students must
use SNS for good reasons. And remember, SNS also have plenty
of benefits related within when use properly.

5.

Social networking site developers and companies must

improve the security and privacy that they are giving to its users

66

for the purpose of promoting a safe environment especially for

children and teenagers.
6.

The Department of Education, as an agency that draws and

sets the education program in any level, must create a program
that will make use of the SNS for good reason than prohibiting it
from accessing through the Internet.

7.

Teachers of any school level should try to utilize the

capabilities of SNS that can be applied in school works. Say for
instance, disseminating or spreading information through SNS is
very fast. From these scenarios, students may gain access to
different course-related topics or lectures posted by their
professors on the Internet.

8.

SNS aficionados should minimize the use of SNS for it

lessens the time for face-to-face socializing which is good in
ones social life.

9.

Psychologists must be informed on the effects of social

networking sites on individuals behaviour, thus, giving them the
right knowledge if asked to examine students under SNS
influence.

10.

Students are not said to quit social networking but rather

lessen the use of it in a way that it will not affect their academic
performances. Anyhow, the researchers still believe that those

67

who lend much time on SNS are more prone to failing grades
than those who dont. Its just a matter of time management.

68

Appendix A. SAMPLE SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE

Name:
Sex:
University / College / Yr. Level:
Relationship Status:
Familys net income per month: [kindly check]
( ) below P10, 000
( ) P10, 001- P20, 000
( ) P20, 001 - P 30, 000 ( ) P30, 001 - P 40, 000
( ) P40, 001 - P 50, 000 ( ) P 50, 001 above

Age:

Part I. Respondents Profile

Directions: Please answer the following questions by placing a check or
by supplying the required information.
1. Do you have any social network account?
( ) Yes
( ) No
2. If yes, what particular social network account are you a member?
( you may check as many as you want as long as youve been
using them )
( ) Facebook.com
( ) Multiply.com
( ) Myspace.com
( ) Tumblr.com
( ) Friendster.com
( ) Twitter.com
Others? Please Specify___________
How many friends do you have? ( ) below 100
( ) 101 250 ( ) 251 500
( ) 501 750 ( ) 751 1000 ( ) more than 1001
Part II. Respondents Exposure to social networking sites
Below are the statements that require specific answers from you.
This is not a test. All your answers are correct as long as you choose
them honestly. Your answers have nothing to do with your grade in
school. Information from this study is important. It may help our
research to improve and to gain more knowledge.

Frequency of Browsing:
Direction: Please provide all the pertinent information called for in the
items below by placing a check mark ( ) in the space provided. Please
69

do not leave any item unanswered.

1. Since when are you a member of social networking sites?
( ) this year
( ) last year
( ) a few years ago
( ) a few months ago
( ) many years ago
2. Do you have a personal computer or any mobile with internet
connection at home?
( ) Yes
( ) No
If yes, how often do you browse social networking sites?
( ) every day
( ) 1-2 times a week
( ) 3-4 times a week
( ) 1-2 times a month
( ) 1-2 times a year
If no, do you go to computer shop?
( ) Yes
( ) No
If yes, how often do you browse social networking sites?
( ) every day
( ) 1-2 times a week
( ) 3-4 times a week
( ) 1-2 times a month
( ) 1-2 times a year
3. How many hours are you spending by browsing, uploading
pictures, and posting status and comments onto your social
networking account?
( ) 5-6 hours/day
( ) 3-4 hours/week
( ) 3-4 hours/day
( ) 3-4 hours/month
( ) 1-2 hours/day
( ) 3-4 hours/year
Ranking of Social Networking Sites:
Social
Networking
Sites
are enumerated
below
with
corresponding letters with them. Please rank them according to your
choice of most preferred network by providing the letter on the space
provided.
A. Facebook.com
1st _____
B.
C.
D.
E.

Myspace.com
Friendster.com
Multiply.com
Tumblr.com

3rd
5th

70

2nd _____
_____
4th _____
_____

6th _____
7th _____

F. Twitter.com
G. Others

Part III. The Impacts of Social Networking Sites

Direction: Please indicate your response by checking the
appropriate rating scale that best suits your opinion. Be guided by the
following scale:
5 - I strongly agree
2 - I disagree
4 - I agree
1 - I strongly disagree
3 - Undecided
A. Pros (positive side, benefits,
advantages)
1. Social networking sites help to
communicate and keep in touch with
friends and family.
2. Chatting through SNS is relaxing because
it provides unlimited entertainment.
3. It serves as a forum to express my
opinions and views.
4. Browsing any SNS, helps to be more
familiarized with the computer (such as
profile, home links, file menu, etc. )
5. It helps to make new friends with
common interests and likes.
6. It enhances my typing skills.
7. It improves my creativity (e.g. photo
editing)
8. SNS is a tool to find someone to date,
build intimacy through virtual ligawan
and then serves to form romantic
relationship. (bf/gf, lovers)
9. SNS enhances my communication skills.
10. It keeps us to date whenever there are
announcements at school (e.g. class
suspension)
11. It is an effective way to disseminate
information. (e.g. profs. post lectures on
SNS)

71

B. Cons (negative side, drawbacks,

and disadvantages)

1. Social networking sites are addictive.

2. I prefer socializing online than in reality.
3. Im having a sleep disorder (insomnia)
because of staying online even at late
night.
4. I spend a lot of money just to stay online.
5. I experience cyber-bullying or cyber
stalking.
6. SNS might leave a history that could
cause me problems in the future like
misuse of info.
7. Im aware that excessive exposure on
computer screen can cause personality,
physical and brain disorders. (e.g. ADHD,
blindness)
Respondents Behavior:
C. at SCHOOL ( study habits, report
card)
1. I always log in to my SNS account
whenever there is a free time at school.
2. I cut my classes just to stay online with
SNS.
3. Theres a decline in my grades due to
social networking addiction.
4. I use my money intended for recess just
to pay for rent at the internet shop.
5. I use SNS to communicate with my
classmates about course related topics.
(e.g. for assign.)
6. I use SNS to communicate with my
instructors about course related topics.
7. I browse the internet to help me in my
assign.

72

8. I prefer reviewing lessons than being

online.
9. I used to log in SNS by means of proxy
servers in my computer class even if the
school blocked or prohibited the access of
those sites.
10. I post statements on SNS to bully (or
annoy) my classmate.
D. at HOME (e.g chore
responsibilities)
1. I ask money from my parents to pay for
rent at the internet shop.
2. I fix my beddings before I open my
computer.
3. I perform specific household chores
assigned to me at home.
4. I follow & obey orders coming from
elders.
5. I help my family do household chores,
willingly and cheerfully.
6. I leave my household chores unfinished
whenever I get bored.
7. I attend to my parents request first even
if Im browsing the net or doing something
else.
8. I dont want to be disturbed while
chatting my friends through SNS, thus, I
always stay inside the room and prefer to
be alone.
9. My parents praise me and tell other
people that I am a good boy/girl every time
I do my work at home thoroughly.

73

74