Chapter I

Introduction

Background of the Study

Over the past few years, online shopping has become increasingly

popular among teenagers, especially senior high school students,

according to the article “The Consumer Behavior of Senior High School

Students in Purchasing Products at Shopee” made by the students and

faculty of University of Santo Tomas Senior High School, Manila,

Philippines. With the rise of technology, everything can be easily

accessed, especially online transactions. Based on the article, entitled

“Impact of digital surge during Covid-19 pandemic: A viewpoint on

research and practice” it indicates how the pandemic accelerated online

shopping and changed consumer habits. It shows that using online

applications, digital technologies and devices are mostly used than the

traditional way of purchasing products due to the pandemic, where all

people are advised to practice social distancing and nationwide lockdowns

(R. De’, et al., 2020).

In September 2020, based on the study of Dr. Vikas Gautam “Online

Young Consumer Shopping Self-Efficacy: An Indian Exploration”, it is

confirmed that young shoppers may find the joy in online shopping and

the value of money. Young consumers may find an unlimited variety of

choices, discounts, promotions, and various transactions. These kinds of

kinds of offers may affect the financial discipline of young consumers such

as Senior High School students.

This study aims to examine the effects of online shopping on the

financial discipline of senior high school students at NDC. It seeks to

understand why they spend their money on online shopping and its effect

on their responsible financial management. This research will also look

into the psychological factors such as, Motivation refers to the internal

drive or desire that generates consumers to take action, such as buying a

product. Learning refers to how consumers acquire new knowledge, skills,

or attitudes about a product or service. Beliefs can be based on personal

experience, cultural values, or social influence. Attitudes refer to the

consumer’s overall evaluation or perception of a product or service.

Based on the study of Jun Tian and Yan Zhang from the Beijing

Etown Academy, Beijing, China and the School of Educational Science,

Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China, the

results of the study shows that most of the college students (68.5% of the

surveyed students) have online shopping behaviors tells that online

shopping is becoming more common among the college students and it

was also stated that most of them are buying online because of curiosity

and for fun.

According to the article of Financial Literacy and Impulsive Buying

Behavior of Humanities and Social Sciences at Tacurong National

Highschool S.Y 2024-2025, many students struggle with managing their

high the levels of impulsive buying behavior of students are. The study

shows that factors such as self-control and social media influence

importantly contribute to impulsive buying, yet they found no significant

connections between financial literacy and impulsive buying. This article

suggests that even students who understand basic financial principles

would still take part in uncontrolled spending, especially in digital

platforms where advertisements and trends play a strong role.

In order for us to have a broader perspective on how online

purchasing affects how they manage their money wisely and to determine

whether their purchases are based on genuine need or simple curiosity.

Understanding this connection can help mold educational initiatives that

strengthen financial literacy and promote more purposeful, responsible

spending habits among students.

Statement of the Problem

This study aims to explore the effects of online shopping on the

financial discipline of senior high school students at Notre Dame of

Cotabato for the school year 2025–2026.

Specifically, this study seeks to answer the following questions:

1. What factors influence their decision to purchase products online?

2. How often do they engage in online shopping?

3. How does online shopping affect their financial discipline and

spending behavior?
Significance of the Study

This study is significant as it seeks to gain a deeper understanding

of the influence of online shopping on the financial discipline of Senior

High School students at Notre Dame of Cotabato. The results of this study

may promote financial awareness among students and encourage the

development of responsible spending habits and effective money

management skills.

For Students. This study will help them become more aware of how

online shopping influences their financial discipline. It will also encourage

them to practice responsible money management and make wiser

financial decisions in their daily lives.

For Teachers. This study will provide useful insights that can be used to

promote financial literacy in class and guide students toward better

financial discipline.

For Parents. The findings will help them understand their children’s

online shopping behavior and allow them to support and guide them in

managing their finances effectively.

For Future Researchers. This study will serve as a reference for further

studies about online shopping and its effects on students, helping them

build on the findings and explore the topic in greater depth.

Scope and Delimitation

different academic strands at Notre Dame of Cotabato Senior High School

experience online shopping behavior during the academic year 2025–

2026. Our participants include Grade 11 and Grade 12 students from the

ABM, STEM, and HUMSS strands, with at least two representatives per

strand (one male and one female), for a total of twelve students. Through

this, we aim to determine the effects of online shopping on the financial

discipline of senior high school students.

The scope of our research is limited to examining the effects of

online shopping on the financial behavior of senior high school students,

specifically their budgeting practices, spending habits, and saving

behavior. We do not cover other financial factors such as family income,

part-time employment, or external economic conditions. To gather data,

we will only use interviews; therefore, the results of our study will depend

on the accuracy and honesty of the participants’ self-reported responses.

Definition of terms

Advertisement - refers to a publicly distributed message or

announcement, typically delivered through mass media or digital

platforms, intended to promote a product, service, event, or opportunity

such as job vacancies.

Discount - A financial deduction or percentage reduction applied to the

original or listed price of goods or services, typically implemented as a

pricing strategy to stimulate consumer demand, reward loyalty, or

promote sales.
Educational Initiatives - a structured program or policy designed to

improve or advance learning, knowledge, or skills within a specific

context, such as a school, community, or even a professional field.

Financial Discipline - refers to the act of taking care of your money in a

responsible and consistent way in order to reach your financial goals.

Financial Literacy - It is the ability to understand and effectively use

various financial skills, including budgeting, saving, investing, managing

debt, and making informed decisions about money.

Impulsive Buying - the act of making unplanned purchases triggered by

sudden emotions or urges, rather than deliberate decision-making or prior

planning.

Online Shopping - refers to the act of buying products or services directly

from a seller online.

Online Shopping Behavior - refers to the patterns of actions and decision-

making processes exhibited by consumers when engaging with online

platforms to search for, assess, and purchase products or services.

Promotions - refers to any form of marketing communication designed to

inform, persuade, and influence a target audience regarding the value,

benefits, or importance of a product, service, brand, or idea.

Responsible Financial Management - The careful and wise handling of

money and other financial resources, such as budgeting, saving, spending

within limits, and making informed choices to achieve financial goals.

manage their money, including the types of items they purchase, the

frequency of their spending, and the amount they usually spend.

Various Transactions - Different kinds of exchanges or activities where

money, goods, or services are given or received. This can include buying,

selling, paying, or transferring money.