Research Rationale
The Impact of Social Media Usage on the Academic
Performance of Senior High School Students
Social media has become an important part of students’ everyday lives. Platforms
such as Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, and Messenger provide opportunities for
communication, entertainment, information sharing, and academic collaboration. For
senior high school students, social media can be useful for accessing educational
materials, communicating with classmates, and obtaining information for school-
related tasks. However, frequent or excessive use may also compete with students’
study time and attention, potentially affecting their academic performance. A recent
meta-analysis involving 63 studies and more than 124,000 students found a small but
statistically significant negative association between technology-related factors,
including social media use, and academic performance (Kuş, 2025).
In the Philippine setting, several studies have also examined the relationship between
social media and students’ academic performance. Arago (2025) studied 325 Grade
11 students in Borongan City and found that Facebook was the most frequently used
platform for academic and social purposes, while social media influenced students’
communication, social skills, and time management. Similarly, a study conducted
among senior high school students in Pitogo, Quezon, examined the impacts of social
media on students’ academic performance and found differences in its perceived
impact according to sex and grade level. Another Philippine study by Amba and
Cacharo (2025) reported significant relationships among social media utilization,
study habits, and academic achievement among senior high school students in
Bukidnon.
Nevertheless, existing findings do not always point in the same direction. For
example, Lardera et al. found that although social media platforms influenced
students’ attendance and learning experiences, the relationship between social media
use and students’ marks was not statistically significant. These differing findings
suggest that the impact of social media may depend on how frequently students use it,
the purpose for which they use it, and how well they manage their time. Therefore,
examining this issue among senior high school students in a specific school context is
important because their academic demands, study habits, and patterns of social media
use may differ from those of students in other settings.
This study, “The Impact of Social Media Usage on the Academic Performance of
Senior High School Students,” aims to determine how students’ social media usage
relates to their academic performance. Specifically, it seeks to provide a clearer
understanding of whether the frequency and manner of social media use are
associated with students’ academic outcomes. The findings may help students become
more aware of responsible social media use, assist teachers in understanding students’
digital habits, and provide parents and schools with information that can support
appropriate guidance and time management. Ultimately, the study may contribute to
promoting a balanced use of social media while maintaining students’ academic
responsibilities.
References
Amba, R., & Cacharo, A. (2025). Social media utilization, study habits and the
academic achievement of the senior high school students in the new normal.
Psychology and Education: A Multidisciplinary Journal, 38(2). Source / Article
Arago, L. E. B. (2025). Media influence on the academic performance of senior high
school students in Borongan City. Psychology and Education: A Multidisciplinary
Journal. Source / Article
Kuş, M. M. (2025). A meta-analysis of the impact of technology related factors on
students’ academic performance. Frontiers in Psychology, 16.
[Link]
Lardera, L. P., Patosa, J. A. V., Panes, C. J. D., & Palti, S. S. (2025). The use of social
media in science subject and the academic performance of senior high school
students. Psychology and Education: A Multidisciplinary Journal. Source / Article
Diea, D., Espiritu, M., Oreta, M. C., & Segui, G. (2025). Impacts of social media to
the academic performance of the selected senior high school students in a public
school in Pitogo, Quezon. Psychology and Education: A Multidisciplinary
Journal, 47(10), 1189–1196. [Link]