EFFECTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA USAGE ON THE ACADEMIC
PERFORMANCE OF STUDENTS
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
The Introduction is the opening section of a research paper that provides the
background of the study, establishes the research problem, and outlines the purpose and
significance of the investigation. It serves to orient the reader to the context, scope, and
direction of the study, as well as to justify the need for conducting the research.
In recent years, social media has become an essential part of students’ daily lives.
Platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram are widely used for communication,
entertainment, and information sharing. As technology continues to develop, students are
increasingly exposed to digital environments that influence their behavior and habits.
Nowadays, many students spend a significant amount of time using social media.
While it offers benefits such as easy communication and access to information, excessive
usage may lead to distractions and reduced study time. Some students find it difficult to
balance their academic responsibilities with their online activities.
Despite the widespread use of social media, there is still a concern about its impact on
students’ academic performance. Many studies discuss its advantages, but there is limited
understanding of how it specifically affects students’ study habits and grades. This creates a
need for further investigation. Therefore, this study aims to examine the effects of social
media usage on the academic performance of students. It seeks to determine whether the time
spent on social media influences students’ learning and overall academic outcomes.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The Statement of the Problem clearly presents the main problem of the study in question
form and identifies specific questions that the research aims to answer. This study aims to
determine the effects of social media usage on the academic performance of students. It seeks
to understand how social media influences students’ study habits, time management, and
academic achievement.
Specifically, it seeks to answer the following questions:
• What is the profile of the students in terms of social media usage?
• How does social media affect the study habits of students?
• Is there a significant relationship between social media usage and academic
performance?
• What challenges do students face in balancing social media use and academic
responsibilities?
1.3 Research Objectives
Research objectives are clear, specific statements that describe what the researcher aims to
achieve in the study. The primary goal of this research is to determine the effects of social
media usage on the academic performance of students, focusing on study habits, time
management, and academic achievement. The specific objectives are:
• To identify the profile of students in terms of social media usage.
• To examine the effect of social media on students’ study habits.
• To determine the relationship between social media usage and academic
performance.
• To identify the challenges faced by students in managing social media and
academics.
1.4 Significance of the Study
The Significance of the Study explains the importance of the research and how its findings
will benefit specific individuals, groups, or sectors. The findings of this study will be
significant to the following beneficiaries:
• Students: This study will help them understand how social media affects their
academic performance and guide them in managing their study time effectively.
• Teachers: Educators may benefit by gaining insights into how social media
influences student behavior, which may help improve teaching strategies.
• Parents: This will help parents become more aware of how social media affects
their children’s academic performance and study habits.
• Future Researchers: This study may serve as a reference for related research
regarding social media and academic performance.
1.5 Scope and Delimitation
The Scope and Delimitation explains the coverage of the study and the boundaries in
terms of what is included and excluded. This study focuses on the effects of social media on
the academic performance of Grade 11 students in a selected school during the school year
2025–2026. It examines the relationship between the amount of time spent on social media
and students’ academic performance, particularly their grades and study habits. The
respondents are limited to Grade 11 students who actively use platforms such as Facebook,
TikTok, and Instagram.
However, this study does not include other factors that may affect academic
performance such as family background, personal motivation, teaching methods, and
economic status. The findings are also limited to the selected group of students and may not
represent all students in other schools or grade levels.
1.6 Definition of Terms
For a better understanding of this study, the following terms are defined based on the research
context:
• Academic Performance – Refers to students' grades and overall outcomes
influenced by their learning habits.
• Social Media – Digital platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram used
for communication and entertainment.
• Social Media Usage – The amount of time and frequency students spend
engaging with social networking sites.
• Study Habits – The behavior and routines students follow to balance academic
responsibilities with online activities.
• Time Management – The ability of students to balance academic tasks with
social media usage.