Impact Of Social Media To Secondary Chool Students

1. CHAPTER ONE
1.0 Introduction.
This chapter traces the background of the study, statement of the problem, objectives of the
study, research questions, significance of the study, scope of the study, limitations, delimitations
and the rationale of the study.
1.1 Background of the study.
Kombo and Tromp (2006) define background of the study as a position or setting of the study. It
explains briefly over view of the problem of the researcher aspires or want to tackle.
Labaree (2013) says that background of the study means identification and description of the
history and well def and nature of a well-defined research problem with reference to the existing
literature.
He added that background information in your introduction should indicate the root of the
problem being studied, its scope and the extent to which previous studies have successfully
investigated the problem, where the gaps exist that your study attempts to address. Introductory
background information differs from a literature review because it places the research problem in
proper context rather than thoroughly examining pertinent literature.
In recent years, the use of social networking sites has grown tremendously especially among the
teens and high school students. However, very little is known about the scale of use, the purpose,
how students use these sites and, more specifically, whether these sites help or harm their
academic progress, (Miah, Omar and Golding, 2012)
This study looks how social media networks affect the academic performance of students.
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2. Statement of the problem.
Statement of the problem is any question that you want to answer and any assumption or
assertion that you want to challenge or investigate, he added that you need to consider interest,
measurement of concepts, relevance, magnitude, availability of data and ethical issues when you
select a research problem, Kumar (2005).
Therefore, this study aims to assess the impact of social media networks to secondary school
student especially it will focus on how it affect their academic performance.
1.3 Research objectives
Kumar (2005) asserts that research objectives refer to what researcher studies for. The research
objectives are categorized into two categories that are the main or general objective and sub
objectives or specific objectives. Kumar says main objectives are what the research has thrust to
conduct research while sub objectives identify the specific issues researcher proposes to
examine. The objective should be clear stated the main aim of the researcher to conduct research
as well as specific issue.
1.3.1 General objective
To examine the impacts of social media networks to secondary school students in their academic
performance.
1.3.2 Specific objectives
Ü To find out the time spent by students in social media networks
Ü To find out what are the most social media that are frequently used.
Ü To investigate the reason for students log in into social media networks.
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3. 1.4 Research Questions
Research questions are the specific questions which guide the details of the research efforts
including the development of concepts, operational definitions and measurement of device.
Research questions are formulated from objectives of research, Krishnaswami. (2003).
In this study the questions are;
I. How long do students spend time in social media networks?
II. What are the most frequently used social media networks?
III. What are the reasons which influence students to use social media networks?
1.5 Significance of the study
According to Krishnaswami, (2003) says significance of the study is the application of the
findings of the study for policy formulation, theory or practice. So it tells why the research is
important and what contribution will it give to the field. It states how your findings can make the
difference and why it is important that the research be carried out.
The findings of this study will enable secondary school students to know how best to use social
media networks as tool for integrating themselves in the globalized world without affecting their
academic performance. Also the findings will be useful for teachers on knowing their students on
using extra-curricular issues on social media networks and taking appropriate actions toward
facilitating the establishment of comprehensive and sustainable system of educating youth on
how to use social media networks.
1.6 Scope of the study
Scope of the study refers to the parameters under which the study will be operating. The problem
you seek to resolve will fit within certain parameters, Simon and Goes, (2013)
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4. This study is conducted in Dar es Salaam Tanzania and schools which are studied are Tambaza
secondary school, Jangwani secondary school and Zanaki secondary school. The research scope
is social media networks because Tanzania is facing the rapid growth of social media networks.
The study involves students from these three secondary schools located at Ilala district where
youth are the most users of social media.
1.7 Limitation of the study
Limitations are the potential weakness of the study. That means anything frontiers the researcher
on conducting research successfully. These limitations can be financial problem, limited time,
and shortage of research documents, Creswell. (2003).
This study is prepared for the aim of fulfillment of academic award therefore is limited in Dar es
Salaam specifically in Ilala district. This is being influenced by time for researcher who uses to
collect data while studies will be proceeding at her college.
Furthermore, the study limit itself in three secondary schools that is Tambaza secondary school,
Jangwani secondary school and Zanaki secondary school due to the fact that students who are
studying there can be representatives of all secondary school students in Dar es salaam who are
the majority users of social media networks compared to adults.
1.8 Delimitation of the study
Simon and Goes (2013) argued delimitations are those characteristics that limit the scope and
define the boundaries of your study. Delimitations are inside the control of the researcher.
Firstly, the study is delimited in the choice of the problem itself, this is because there are a lot of
problems around but the researcher decide to look on the impacts of social media networks to
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5. secondary school students. Also the study delimits itself in the choice of study area that is Ilala
district because she was able to go in Kinondoni district but decide to go to Ilala.
1.9 Rationale of the study
Rationale of the study is defined as the justification of doing a study, Brown (1994).
The rationale of this study is to help education administrators, teachers and parents to discover
how and whether social networking sites helping their students in their learning process. The
study also provides recommendations to make the use of social networking sites effective and
beneficial for the students.
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6. CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.0 Introduction
This chapter shows the empirical literature, theoretical literature review and the gap existing in
the literature review.
2.1 Empirical Literature Review
Ahmed as quoted by Brubaker, (2013), Social media is defined as Internet networks that provide
an online community for users to interact in a fast, convenient manner. Within social media
networks, users are able to create profiles, share information, and view other users’ comments,
Camilia, Ibrahim and Dalhatu (2013), discuss the history of SNSs that dates back to the late
1990s, suggesting that they are not as new as they may appear in the first place. With the
emergence of SNSs such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn etc, overall SNS usage has accelerated
in such a way that they are considered a global consumer phenomenon. Social networking sites
are the latest online communication tool that allows users to create a public or private profile to
interact with people in their networks.
With so many social networking sites displayed on the internet, students are tempted to abandon
their homework and reading times in preference for chatting online with friends. Many students
are now addicted to the online rave of the moment, with Facebook, Twitter etc. Today most
youths and students possess Facebook accounts. The reason your ward is performing badly in
school might not be far- fetched. While your mind might be quick to blame the poor quality of
teachers, you might have to think even harder, if you have not heard of the Facebook frenzy.
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7. These days’ students are so engrossed in the social media that they are almost 24 hours online.
Even in classrooms and lecture theatres, it has been observed that some students are always busy
pinging, 2going or Facebooking, while lectures are on. (Miah and Omar, 2012)
Times that ought be channeled towards learning, academic research and innovating have been
crushed by the passion for meeting new friends online, and most times busy discussing trivial
issues. Hence most students’ academics suffer setback as a result of distraction from the social
media. It was observed that the use of these sites also affects students’ use of English and
grammar. The students are used to short forms of writing words in their chat rooms; they forget
and use the same in the classrooms. They use things like 4 in place of for, U in place of You, D
in place of The etc. and this could affect their class assessment, (Camilia, Ibrahim & Dalhatu
2013)
Miah, Omar and Golding 2012 quoted Fodeman and Monroe, focus on the social network of
Facebook and why students should not use the website. The authors gave eight reasons to
support their claim. Some include time usage, false sense of privacy, scams targeting teens, the
unawareness of how they are being marketed, lack of social interaction and unethical behaviors.
These indicators, although not measured through scientific study, should cause major concern
among parents of adolescent children who use the social network. Since Facebook is available 24
hours a day and seven days a week, these teens, who have minimal to no responsibilities, may
not be responsible in accessing and monitoring their time on the social networking sites, thus
affecting their studies and grades.
Another concern the authors expressed is how the young students are being targeted without
realizing it. Their lack of experience on Internet sites causes them to fall prey to contacting often
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8. non-repairable viruses on the computer systems. An important aspect of this claim is the absence
of privacy awareness by young adults.
Youth Resources cited by Miah, Omar and Golding (2012), Social media icon, Facebook, has
changed our culture forever. Since its inception in 2004, Facebook has served as not only as a
way to get connected and stay connected, but it has been a great way to waste serious amounts of
time clicking from page to page, picture to picture
Boyd & Ellison, Sheldon quoted by Camilia, Ibrahim and Dalhatu, (2013).There are many
reasons for young adults to join social networking websites as they try to communicate within
their social system. The principal reason reported was to maintain relationships with existing
acquaintances that were already part of their social network. Although there are exceptions, most
social network site users primarily interact on these sites to support pre-existing social relations,
as opposed to meeting new people
Lenhart, Purcell, Smith, and Zickuhr cited by Miah, Omar and Golding (2012), about 57% of
social network users are 18-29 years old and have a personal profile on multiple social media
websites. Junco (2011) quoted the study of Pempek, Yermolayeva, and Calvert, the amount of
time spent daily on social network sites varied greatly. However, an analysis of the data
indicated most participants spent approximately 30 minutes a day socializing, mostly during the
evening hours between 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. Students spent an average of 47 minutes a day on
Facebook.
Tufekci cited by Junco (2011). Each person who becomes a member of a social media has the
opportunity to create his or her own webpage or “profile” which is supposed to be seen as a
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9. reflection of that person’s personality. Boyd and Ellison, as cited by Camilia, Ibrahim and
Dalhatu (2013), by using this personal profile, one can build an entire social network based on
his or her own personal preferences
Ellison, Steinford, & Lampe quoted by Adenubi, Olalekan, and Opeoluwa (2013);Lenhart,
Purcell, Smith, &Zickuhr, as cited by and Miah, Omar and Golding (2012). Like any other type
of media, social media are not inherently good or bad. The impact of social media is dependent
on the type and frequency of their use. Media reports as well as research have highlighted
potential benefits and risks for adolescents interacting with social media. Among these concerns
is the potential for social media to influence health behaviors. Adolescents are uniquely
positioned to be particularly vulnerable to the effects of social media. They are early adopters of
new media and highly susceptible to peer influences
Alexander & Salas quoted by Lavy and Sand (2012).On the other side of the issue, there are
other adults and many professionals, including teachers and school faculty, who encourage the
use of social networking sites like Facebook because they allow students to connect with one
another and discuss school related issues. Teens can form online communities in order to plan for
a project, have group discussions about class material, or use the SNS as a way to keep in contact
when a student has been absent and needs to be updated on current academic information
Bryant, Sanders-Jackson, & Smallwood, cited by Srivastava (2012), Since the early years of
social networking popularity, research has been done in order to find out how this technology
was affecting youth .Though the early trend was to believe that these sites would negatively
affect adolescent communication, other researchers believed that technological communication
would benefit many teenagers who had trouble expressing their thoughts and feelings face-to-
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10. face Though the argument continues to be studied and analyzed, it is still a question that many
researchers want answers. By looking at the most popular social networking devices, several
conclusions can be made as to why these social tools are popular with young adults.
Brubaker (2013) says, a major disadvantage of using social networking websites is that most
folks are not aware of the dangers they undergo once they display their personal information on
these websites. Strangers, stalkers and hackers are able to possibly use someone’s personal
information for unethical reasons. For example, hackers can place a link on Facebook displaying
information that a user may find interesting. The user who clicks on the hacker’s link, may
compromise personal information leaving the user’s networking device open to pollution by
spam, viruses and worms. Hacking is one of the main factors leading to identity theft. A person
should never store their passwords, credit cards or personal information on their computer
2.2 Theoretical framework
2.2.1 Uses and Gratification Theory
Uses and Gratifications Theory is a popular approach to understanding mass communication.
The theory places more focus on the consumer, or audience, instead of the actual message itself
by asking what people do with media rather than what media does to people (Katz, 1959). It
assumes that members of the audience are not passive but take an active role in interpreting and
integrating media into their own lives. The theory also holds that audiences are responsible for
choosing media to meet their needs. The approach suggests that people use the media to fulfil
specific gratifications. This theory would then imply that the media compete against other
information sources for viewers' gratification. (Katz,Blumler & Gurevitch 1974)
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11. According to Katz, Blumler and Gurevitch's 1974 research there were five components
comprising the Uses and Gratifications Approach. The components are:
The audience is conceived as active, in the mass communication process, much initiative in
linking gratification and media choice lies with the audience member, the media compete with
other sources of satisfaction. ,methodologically speaking, many of the goals of mass media use
can be derived from data supplied by individual audience members themselves, value judgments
about the cultural significance of mass communication should be suspended while audience
orientations are explored on their own terms.
According to Katz and Blumler (1974), the most frequently found motives for using media are;
Diversion (the need to escape personal problems, and the need for emotional release), personal
relationship (the need for companionship and help in social interaction), personal identity (the
need for self-understanding and reassurance of one’s role in society) and Surveillance (the need
for information about factors that might affect or help one).
Strengths of Uses and Gratification theory;
The Uses and Gratification theory is the most influential theory in the field of communication
research, its ability to allow researchers to study mediated communication situations via a single
or multiple sets of psychological needs, psychological motives, communication channels,
communication content, and psychological gratifications within a particular or cross-cultural
context (Blumler & Katz's, 1974).
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12. 2.3 Gap in Literature Review
There are a lot of studies done about the effects of social media networks on students in the
African continent. Due to the concept that social media networks are recent compared to old
media like radio, television and newspapers, also the technological aspect compared to European
and American continents. Hence this study which aims to discover the impacts of social media to
secondary school students will be among the studies in Africa about the usage of social media
networks.
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13. CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.0 Introduction
This chapter consists of the research approach, research design, sampling, research methods, data
recording and data analysis and the ethical considerations.
3.1 Research Approach
Are the plans and procedure for research that spans the steps from broad assumptions to detailed
methods of data collection, analysis and interpretation. There are three different approaches
which are quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods,( Corbetta, 2003).
This study uses quantitative approach and it takes survey as a research design, in the sampling
procedures it will use probability sampling and in the data collection methods questionnaire will
be used.
3.2 Research Design
3.2.1 Survey design
Is the situation where the data are collected predominantly by self –completion questionnaire, or
by structure interview on more than one case and at the single time in order to collect a body of
quantitative or quantifiable data in collection of two or more variables which are then determined
to detect the pattern of relationship between variables (Bryman, 2008.)
The choice of this design is based on its merits like economic and efficient, it represent a wide
target of population, it provide descriptive and explanatory information, it provide correlation
between variables and it develops statistical patterns that can be used to generate a theory from
Morrison cited in by Cohen and Morris 2007
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14. 3.3 Sampling
Sampling involves the selection of a number of study units from a defined study population. The
population is too large for researcher to consider collecting information from all its members
therefore the researcher selects a sample of individuals to represent the large population in the
study (Degu and Yigzaw 2006).
3.3.1 Study Area
This study is conducted in Dar es Salaam Tanzania and schools which are studied are Tambaza
secondary school, Jangwani secondary school and Zanaki secondary school. The research scope
is social media networks because Tanzania is facing the rapid growth of social media networks.
The study involves students from these three secondary schools located at Ilala district where
youth are the most users of social media.
Moreover, the topic of the impacts of social media to secondary school students is researchable
at those areas due to the presence of students who are the majority among the youth using social
media.
3.3.2 Population
Population refers to an entire group of persons or elements that have at least one thing in
common (Kombo and Tromp, 2006) Thus, population refers to a large group from which the
sample is taken.
The population of this study is secondary school students from Tambaza, Jangwani and Zanaki
secondary schools in Dar es Salaam Ilala District. The population is chosen because of the
representativeness of these students to other students in Dar es salaam who uses social media
networks.
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15. 3.3.3 Sample Size
A sample is a subset of the population that is representative of the entire population (Wimmer
and Dominic, 2000).
20 students from each school to make a total of 60 students, this is done so as to minimize the
possibility of sampling errors.
3.3.4 Sampling Procedures
3.3.4.1 Probability sampling
3.3.4.2 Stratified random sampling
The sample in this study will be students from three secondary schools that are Jangwani, Zanaki
and Tambaza secondary school that will represent all students in Dar es Salaam.
Kombo and Tromp (2006), state that stratified random sampling involves dividing your
population into homogeneous subgroups and then taking a simple random sample in each
subgroup. The sample is selected in such a way as to ensure that certain groups in population are
represented in the sample in proportion to their number in the population.
The researcher will make sure that each school is having equal representatives like other school
that is will take equal number of students from all three schools according to the number of the
entirely population.
3.4 Data collection procedures
Data collection procedures refer to the behavior and instruments used in selecting and
constructing research technique (Kothari, 2004).
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16. The instrument for data collection for this study is questionnaire methods. This is because of the
nature of information required and the form of analysis to be conducted. The questionnaires are
designed in anonymity to enable the student fill them truthfully without fear of intrusion of
privacy.
3.4.1 Questionnaire
“A collection of pre-prepared questions administered to respondents. When used on its own, the
term usually denotes a self-completion questionnaire: questionnaire that the respondents write
down the answers on the form without the help of the interviewer” (Bryman, 2008 pg 679).
The researcher in this study distributes questionnaires to students who are selected as a sample in
all three schools.
3.5 Data analysis and Presentation
Kombo and Tromp (2006) define data analysis as examining what has been collected in a survey
or experiment and making deductions and inferences. Data analysis involves uncovering
underlying structures, extracting important variables, detecting any anomalies and testing any
underlying assumptions.
The study analyzes data by using Microsoft Excel and present data by using bar chart, pie chart
and tables.
3.6 Ethical Consideration
According to Shamoo, (2009), it is very important for the researcher to observe and obey to
ethical norms in conducting their research due to the following reasons; Norms promote the
aims of the research, ethical standards promote the values that are essential to cooperative work,
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17. ensure that researchers are held accountable to the public, help to build public support for
research, promote a variety of other important moral and social values.
The researcher in this study observe the voluntariness of the respondents and she do not force
them to obtain information, respect of privacy, respect of anonymity and confidentiality, not
deceiving respondents and the researcher adhere the principle of justice by being fair in
selecting respondents and not to harm the marginalized groups.
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18. CHAPTER FOUR: DATA ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION
4.0 Introduction
This chapter presents the data and interprets the research findings which sought to examine the
impact of social media to secondary school students. The research objectives of the study were to
find out the time spent by students in social media networks, to find out what are the most social
media that are frequently used and to investigate the reason for students log in into social media
networks.
4.1 Type of respondents participated in the study
The research included 60 students from three secondary schools which are Jangwani, Zanaki and
Tambaza. The selected sample responded to this study by filling in the questionnaires as
requested by the researcher.
4.1.1 Characteristics of students’ respondents by gender
Among the 60 self administered questionnaires, 59 were dully filled in by the respondents in
which 30 (51%) were females and 29 (49%) were males as described in Figure 1 below;
Figure 1: Respondents’ characteristics by gender
51%
49% female
male
This is to show that this study used more female students than male students
Figure 1: Percentage of Students participants by Gender
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19. Source: Field data 2014
4.1.3 Characteristics of secondary school students by age
Respondents ranging from 13-15 years old were 7 (12%); respondents ranging from16-18 were
28 (47%) while respondents ranging from 19-21 were 24 (41%) as indicated in the table below
Table: Summary of secondary school students respondents’ age
Age range Frequency %
13 – 15 7 11.8%
16 – 18 28 47.4%
19-21 24 40.6%
This indicates that most of the respondents (47.4%) were at the age of 16-18
Source: Field data 2014
4.2 Social media networks that are frequently used
The leading social media that is frequently used is WhatsApp 41% followed by Facebook 36%,
Twitter and Instagram 10% and other social media like Viber, Tango, Badoo and MySpace are
3%. These are shown in the figure 2
below
19
36%
41%
10%
10%
3%
Facebook
WhatsApp
Twitter
Instagram
Others

20. This show that most students use WhatsApp more than Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other
social media. That means if students have to face problem WhatsApp can give more problem
than other social media.
Figure 2: Percentage of use of Social media Networks
Source: Field data 2014
4.3 Hours spent in social media by students per day
Most students spend more than two hours in social media.18 students (31%) uses about 30mins
to one hour, 13students (22%) uses one hour to two hours and 28 students (47%) uses more than
two hours in social media. This is shown in the figure 3 below
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
30mins‐1hr 1hr‐2hrs 2hrs+
Figure 3: Average Hours per Day on Social media networks
Source: Field data 2014
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21. 4.4 Activities done by students in social media
Different activities are done by students in social media,35 students (59%) are meeting new
friends,31 students (53%) are posting pictures and videos,23 students (39%) update status, 52
students (88%) are chatting with friends, and 15 students (25%) are using social media for
studying as shown in the figure 4 below;
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
meeting new
friends
posting
pictures and
videos
update status chatting with
friends
studying
Figure 4: Percentage of Actions Spent on Social media Networks
Source: Field data 2014
4.5 Reasons that push students to use social media networks
Most of the respondents 52 (88%) said that they were using social media to talk with friends or
in other words to socialize, about 24 students (41%) said they were using it for education
purpose while 7 students (12%) talk to teachers and other 7 students (12%) said they were using
social media for other reasons like getting to know fashion trends, refreshment and enjoyment,
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22. the influence from other friends, getting new experience, reading others mind and views and
finding new groups and friends. as shown in the figure 5 below
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
education talk to teachers talk to friends others
Figure 5: Reasons for Using Social media Networks
Source: Field data June 2014
4.6 Student opinions on time usage of social media over academic issues
Most students think they spend a little time in social media than in academic studies about 42
students (71%) said they were not spending a lot of time in social media, while 17 students
(29%) said they were spending a lot of time in social media than academic issues, this is shown
in the figure 6 below;
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23. 29%
71%
Yes
No
Figure 6: Student Opinions on Time Use of Social media Networks
Source: Field data June 2014
4.7 Impacts of social media toward academic issues
Most of the respondents 24 students (41%) were of the opinion that social media has positive
impact. About 19 students( 32%) argued that the use of social media had negative impact to
their studies, while 16 students (27%) said that despite of using social media they had not noticed
any impact to their academic matters, as shown in the figure 7 below;
41%
32%
27% Positive
Negative
No impact
Figure 7: Impact of Using Social media Networks
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24. Source: Field data June 2014
4.8 If a student face a problems at school
Most of the respondents 47 students (80%) said they did not have faced any problem because of
using social media networks while 12 students (20%) said they have faced problems at school
because of using social media, as shown in the figure 8 below;
20%
80%
Yes
No
Figure 8: A victim at school because of using Social media Networks
Source: Field data June 2014
4.9 Awareness of the security and privacy of information that is posted by students in social
media
About 41 (69%) of students are aware about the security and privacy of information they post in
social media networks, while 18 students (31%) students are not aware of the security and
privacy that is why they end up of getting problems at school, as shown in the figure 9 below;
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25. 69%
31%
Yes
No
Figure 9; Students who are Aware of Security and Privacy of Personal Information
Source: Field data June 2014
CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION, RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION
5.0 Introduction
The objective of this study is to assess the impact of social media networks to secondary school
students. The use of social media networks by secondary school student can have the noticeable
positive or negative impacts to students. This can be due to the usage of it whether student use it
in a positive way like learning other stuffs from different sites, chatting with academicians or
using it in a negative way like chatting with friends on non educational matters, posting pictures
and videos that have a bad taste and creating groups which have no educational content. This
objective of the study is accompanied by finding the time spent by students in social media
networks, finding out what are the most social media that are frequently used by them and to
investigate the reasons which push them to use social media networks.
5.1 To find out the time spent by students in social media networks
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26. Reviewing the work of Graphicsms, and Rideout Froeschle, Crews and Li. (2013), says the data
reflect the enormous appeal social networking sites have on young people. It is reported that 22%
of social networking users range in age from 13 to 17 years old also found social networking to
be the most popular computer activity for students ranging in age from 8-18. For instance, 40%
of 8 to 18-year-olds spent approximately one hour per day on social networking sites such as
MySpace or Facebook.
Social networking sites have captured the interest of many adolescents and young adults. Recent
reports on the prevalence of online activities indicate that the majority of U.S. adolescents and
young adults utilize social networking sites and that the number of memberships increases with
age.
Ellison, Steinfield, & Lampe, as cited by Tiffany,Pempek, Yevdokiya, Yermolayeva, and
Sandra Calvert (2009), says, Spending time on social networking sites appears to be part of most
U.S. young adults' daily activities. In one study, U.S. college students reported using Facebook
an average of 10 to 30 min daily. Another study found that about half of 12–17 year olds with
social networking site memberships log on daily: 22% logged on to social networking sites
several times per day, 26% once a day,17% three to five days perweek,15% one or two days per
week, and only 20% every few weeks or less.
This study observes that students do not spend too much time in social media networks
compared to their academic schedules. 71% of students do not use a lot of time compared to 29%
of students who spend a lot of time in the social media networks. This show that 71%of students
use less than two hours in social media compared to 29% who use more than two hours per day
in social media networks.
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27. 5.2 To find out what are the most social media that are frequently used.
According to the study done by Bicen and Cavus. (2010), The study showed that more students
use Facebook and YouTube than any other social media platform. Blogs, Twitter, MySpace, and
LinkedIn had significantly lower amounts of student users. Students from the business school
had the highest percentage of users of blogs, Twitter, and LinkedIn while liberal arts students
were the highest percentage of MySpace users.
Due to the recency of WhatsApp in Tanzania, it got many users because of its operations like
sending instant pictures, videos, messages even audio messages are sent compared to Facebook
and twitter. The use of smart phones which contains so many applications made it easier for
students to select which kind of application to use.
The findings of the study shows that WhatsApp is the most frequently used social media
followed by Facebook, Twitter Instagram and other social media. This is to show that WhatsApp
which is the recent social media is used by youth compared to Facebook which is there for a long
time.
5.3 To investigate the reason for students log in into social media networks.
Social networking sites are designed to foster social interaction in a virtual environment. In
general, communication is facilitated through information posted in the profile which often
includes a photograph of the member and personal information describing his or her interests,
both of which provide information about one's identity. Members can view one another's profiles
and can communicate through various applications similar to email or online message boards.
Such interactions can potentially address many concerns of adolescence and emerging adulthood,
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28. such as the need for friendship and peer feedback, (Tiffany, Pempek, Yevdokiya, Yermolayeva,
and Sandra Calvert 2009).
Ellison, Steinfield, & Lampe, as quoted by Tiffany, Pempek, Yevdokiya, Yermolayeva, and
Sandra Calvert (2009). A recent survey of college students in the U.S. showed that social
networking sites are used for social interaction with offline acquaintances in order to maintain
friendships rather than to make new friends. In fact, these authors found a strong positive
relationship between Facebook use and social capital, or the resources gained through social
interactions. Surveys of teens and college students with social networking site memberships
reveal that youth primarily use these sites to stay in touch with friends they see often and those
whom they see rarely. In addition, about half of teens use social networking sites to make new
friends and about half of college students use them to let others “know about me” (Tiffany et al
2009)
“I use Facebook because it is a good way to keep me informed as far as who my friends are
interacting and associating with as well as what they are up to.”
“Through Facebook, I can communicate through messages, wall posts, and even events. I have
been able to sustain so many friendships through Facebook, which is the biggest reason why I
use it.” “Signing a Facebook wall is a lot easier and less time consuming than picking up the
phone to call a friend. Not many in college have the time for that.” (Tiffany et al 2009 p 256)
The findings of this study shows that most reason which pushes students to use social media
networks is talking to their friends on different issues rather than studying. This shows that most
students like to chat rather than studying.
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29. 5.2 Recommendation
5.2.1 Teachers
School administrations should create a technology policy that prohibits students from using
social media networks at school.
Attention should also be paid to ethical versus unethical behaviors and how to protect security
and privacy information because the percentage which students do not know about the security
and privacy of information is little bit high.
In order to maintain a professional image and avoid “friending” students on a personal level, the
researcher suggests establishing a professional school page rather than an individual page. All
information on the page should relate to school counseling activities and be approved by the
school principal in advance.
Also according to the findings 41% and 36% of students use WhatsApp and Facebook
respectively, teachers can adopt these social media networks to use them for education purpose
with their students thus it could create a great interaction between teachers and students because
the existing interaction is among students themselves. Teachers can promote an ethical behavior
of using social networks if it can be monitored.
5.2.2 Students
Time management is also a very crucial thing to be considered by students. This is due to most
of them spends more than two hours in social media than concentrating in their studies. If
schools can help cut the time that students spend on these social networking sites by blocking the
websites, or giving them a lot of homework to do, it could help students become more focused
on their academic issues while at school and home. Most of students reported that they are
29

30. spending too much time on social websites; and 32% reported that they feel that these social
media have negative impacts to them. There also needs to be awareness among students about
what social media networks are and the possible consequences of incorrect use of social media
networks.
5.2.3 Parents and Guardians
Also parents or guardians should make sure that they keep an eye on their children concerning
educational matters and the use of social media networks. Parents or guardians could have a clue
that his or her kid is using a social media like Facebook or WhatsApp so he or she must set
parental guidance on those social media so that a student could concentrate on studies not in
social media.
5.3 Conclusion
The rise of social networking has increased dramatically in recent years, causing questions as to
how young adolescent students are adjusting to this shift and means of communication, since it is
the norm for their generation.
Findings show that a higher number of respondents spending more time on playing video games.
Indeed, 45 percent of respondents used to play video game for one hour and two hours, while 33
percent of them were spending more than two hours playing video games per day.
As far as the findings of the study is concerned, spending a higher percentage of time on video
games there is not enough time left to spend in studies. Thus the study found that there was not a
single significant positive correlation between gaming and academic performance.
30

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QUESTIONNAIRE
I am SHARIFA SHAMSI, a third-year student from the University of Dar es Salaam, School of
Journalism and Mass Communication (SJMC) pursuing Bachelor of Art in Journalism, I am
conducting a study, titled “IMPACTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA TO SECONDARY SCHOOL
STUDENTS”. To make this study possible, I call upon your cooperation to answer the questions
in this questionnaire truthfully. The information generated will be used for academic purpose
only no personal information will be revealed.
Please put a tick .nn in the box next to the right response.
Age Gender: Male
13-15 Female
16-18
33

34. 19-21
1. Which one of the following social media do you use frequently?
Facebook twitter
WhatsApp Instagram Oth
Others? Specify____________________________________________________________
2. How many hours do you spend in social media per day?
30mins-1hr
1hr-2hrs
More than 2hrs
3. What activities do you engage in while you are in social media( please tick all that apply)
a. Meeting new friends
b. Posting pictures and videos
c. Update status
d. Chatting with friends
e. Studying
f. Others? Specify_____________________________________________________
4. What are the reasons that push you to use social media? ( please tick all that apply)
a. Education
b. Talk to teachers
c. Talk to friends
34

35. d. Others? Specify ____________________________________________________
5. Do you think you are spending too much time on social media than academic issues?
Yes No
6. What impacts you think social media have on your academic issues?
Positive Negative No impact
7. Have you ever faced any problem at school because of using social media?
Yes No
8. Are you aware of the security and privacy of your information you are posting in social
media networks?
Yes No
35