The document is a research proposal examining the impact of social networking sites on the academic performance of adolescents. It includes an introduction outlining the research problem, literature review on relevant topics, research design using questionnaires and interviews of a sample of local adolescents, and a proposed presentation of findings and data analysis. The research aims to evaluate the negative impact of social media usage on academics, determine influencing factors for student participation, and identify measures to reduce time spent on social networking sites.

1. IN PART FULFILMENT
OF
THE SOCIOLOGY
SYLLABUS
FOR
CARIBBEAN ADVANCED
PROFIENCY EXAM (CAPE)
FOR THE YEAR 2014-2015
Name:
Institution: McGrath High School
Course: Cape Sociology Unit 1
Centre Number:
Territory: Jamaica

2. Table of Content
Introduction (20 Marks)
Acknowledgement I
Title Page II
Background III
Definition of Research Problem 1
Review of Literatures 2
ResearchDesign (13 Marks)
Design of Research
Sociological Perspective
Sample Selection
Data Collection Techniques
Presentation of Findings & Analysis
Presentation of Findings
Analysis of Findings
Discussion of Findings and Conclusion
Discussion of Findings
Conclusions
Appendix
Bibliography

3. Acknowledgement
With great pleasure the researcher wishes to acknowledge the help provided by several
individuals which proved to be very valuable in conducting this research.
These individuals include: staff of the school’s lab who went beyond call of duty so that
the necessary resources were available.
The teachers in outlining tasks that the researcher were expected to perform and the
attention was forth coming so that this research was completed efficiently.
An internal assessment of this magnitude was effectively compiled with the assistance
and contribution of the adolescent in the District.
Thanks in Advance!

4. Title Page
StatementofProblem
To what extent does Social Networking Sites affects the academic performance of students?
AimsandObjectives
The main aim of this assessment is to:
 Evaluate the degree of the negative impact of social networking site, extensive usage on
academic performance of students.
 To determine the factors influencing students to participate on social networking site.
 To determine the necessary precautionary measures that can be taken to reduce the
amount of time and students who partake in social networking site.

5. Background of Research
The invention of the telegraph, telephone, radio, and computer set the stage for this
unprecedented integration of capabilities. The Internet is at once a world-wide broadcasting
capability, a mechanism for information dissemination, and a medium for collaboration and
interaction between individuals and their computers without regard for geographic
location. Lately, online social networking sites engage students and need to be studied as
distributors of information. The medium of internet has evolved with growth in its applications.
The interactive nature of online environments has expanded with social networks. Connecting
through social networks started as a niche activity, but with time it is now a phenomenon. The
social networking sites are being used in various ways like forming communities, chatting,
blogging etc. Apart from that, different institutions even nowadays are forming communities or
groups on different Social Networking Sites. Social network is not only used for entertainments,
chatting or blogging but it is also used for commercial purposes.

6. Definition of Research Problem
Social networking is the connection of friends or family together which allow you to
communicate easily. With social networking sites you can have a long chain of friends you can chat or
share information or ideal with. According to Boyd & Ellison (2008), “SNS can be defined as web-
based services that allow individuals to construct a public or semi-public profile within a bounded
system, articulate a list of other users with whom they share a connection, and view and traverse their
list of connections and those made by others within the system”. At the most basic level social
networking sites allow users to set up online profiles or personal homepages, and develop an online
social network. The profile page functions as the user’s own webpage and includes profile information
ranging from their date of birth, gender, religion, politics and hometown, to their favourite films, books
quotes and what they like doing in their spare time. In addition to profile information, users can design
the appearance of their page, and add content such as photos, video clips, music and files. The purpose
of this research is to determine to what extent social networking sites affect the academic performance
of adolescents.

7. Literature Review
WhatissocialNetworking?
Social network can be defined as the building of online communications that allow the
interaction between groups of people who share a common interest according to the Social
Studies Essential for CSEC Sandy, (2012)
Social Networking sites are virtual learning communities where users can create
individual public profiles, interact with real-life friends and meet other people based on shared
interests and ideas. They are seen as a “global consumer phenomenon” with an exponential rise
in usage over the last few years. Social networks may be potential mental health problems for
adolescents as observed by Kuss & Griffiths, (2007)
BehaviouralPatterns
Social Networking sites affect adolescents not only by displacing time they spend doing
school work or mental health problem or even sleep but it also influences beliefs and behaviour.
According to the learning theory of Durkheim, (1961), adolescents learn by observing and
imitating what they see on network sites, particularly when these behaviour seem realistic. The
media present adolescent with common characters for how to behave in unfamiliar situations

8. such as romantic relationships according to a survey by Strasburger, Jordan & Donnerstein,
(2010).
AggressionandViolence
As stated by Strasburger, Jordan & Donnerstein, (2010), aggression and violence is
one of many actions influenced by social networking. Interactive media can encourage antisocial
beliefs and behaviour in adolescents, particularly because violence in new media has found to be
prevalent as well.
AcademicPerformance
Engaging in social media is a routine activity that entice adolescent by enhancing
communications, social connection and even technical skills. Because of their limited capacity
for self-regulation and susceptibility to peer pressure, adolescent are at some risk as they
navigate and experiment with social media. Students may use social media to connect with one
another on homework and group projects for example social networks such as facebook,
whatsapp allows students to gather outside of class to collaborate and exchange ideas about
assignments, while some students will do school work on social media. Others will procrastinate
and use the sites for other purposes which will then allow them to become slow and down care
about their academics. Jones, (2004)

9. Education is a very important essential part of an individual’s life, for every adolescent
education is more important than anything. Today adolescent shows very much interest for using
social networks but unfortunately social networks affect education badly. Technology has shown
a fast development by producing communications devices but these devices can be used for
accessing social networks anytime, anywhere, these devices include computers, iPod or even
simple mobile phones (which support internet). Technology is a step towards betterment, no
doubt but any technology which can provide ease of social network can be dangerous because
social sites is a straight invitation of addiction to adolescent as academic satisfaction is not
enough for those students who suffers from social isolation. Social networks grab the attention
and concentration of the students and divert them towards non educational, unethical and
inappropriate actions. Tang, Mehboob & Asfandyar, (2012).

10. Research Design
Research is defined as the systematic study of materials and sources in order to establish
facts and reach new conclusions. This study intends to examine the impacts of how social
networking sites affects the academic performance of adolescents. For this research the
procedure will incorporate the use of both primary and secondary sources. This descriptive
method will be used to garner useful information.
In order for the researcher to collect empirical data (statistics) a data collection
instrument and strategies had to be employed; a qualitative approach was utilized as a large
sample was not required.
.

11. Method of Data Collection Instrument
In investigating, “the negative impact social networking sites has on the academic
performance of adolescents”, the use of both primary and secondary sources were incorporated.
Primary sources involves the use of questionnaires.
Questionnaires were disseminated randomly without speculations. This was the main
primary source as it showed the following criterion.
 Non time consuming
 Easy to analyse
 Aids in one’s opinion
 Can be administered to many people
 Can get a lot of data
 Easy to distribute
The secondary sources involve visits to the library, books, and internet as well as journal
articles. These Sources contributed to the researcher’s understanding of the problem in that they
cited examples and give enormous amount of details to comprehend.
Some advantages of using the secondary sources for conducting this research includes:

12.  Accessibility
 Feasibility of both longitudinal and international comparative studies
 Ease of Access
 Low Cost to Acquire
 May Help Clarify Research Question
Sociological Perspective
Durkheim (1961) saw the major function of education as the transmission of society’s
norms and values. Durkheim assumes society have a shared culture which can be transmitted
through the education system. The process of education helps to provide an important link
between the individual and society. Durkheim postulated that education is the methodical
socialization of the young generation.
Sociologists contemplate about the interaction be between students. Hence the concern
for students academics. However with the influence of technology on school organization and
relationship. One possible point of view is that technology will enhance school efficiency and
efficacy. In addition other theories argue that technology will reduce the quality of social
relationships necessary for students’ success therefore Social Networks will there reduce the time
spent on academic for students so less progress will be made towards their success in society as
postulated by Durkheim and other sociologists.

13. Sample Selection
A sample can be defined as a small part or quantity intended to show what the whole is
like. A sampling frame will be utilized to study the desired portion of the population; a sampling
frame is a means of defining the population of interest. Stratified random sampling was
incorporated using questionnaires were distributed to adolescents within the 11-19 age group in a
community within the vicinity of Linstead. To achieve this, a total of fifteen questionnaires were
randomly handed out to adolescents of the community in the age group 11-19 years. The sample
size of included 15 individuals to represent the whole. This method was chosen because it
allowed for a broad variety of responses as the respondents would be of various age groups,
ethnicities, and genders.

14. Presentation of Data
Fig. 1 showing results of the gender that use social network.
77%
33%
FEMALE MALE
Genderofpersonwhousesocialnetworks

15. Fig. 2 showing the age group of individual who access social networks.
Fig 3. Showing the percentage of respondents who use social network.
15%
19%
45%
21% 11 yrs-13 yrs
13 yrs- 15yrs
15yrs-18yrs
18 hyrs & over
Theage groupsof individuals
97%
3%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 120%
Yes
No
Representation of persons who use social
network
Responses of how social network
affects respondents’ educational
status

16. Fig. 4. Showing if social network ever affects educational status of respondents’.
Reduction of time spent on social
network.
Fig 5. This is representing the respondents’ answers to the question “Does social network reduce
the time spent on education practices.
15%
3%
10%
72%
Sometimes
Seldom
Often
Never
Yes
65%
No
35%

17. Figure 6. Any other SNS like twitter, Youtube and Instagram. The respondents found Facebook and
Whatsapp easier to use.
Figure 7. Showing the time span spent on social networking sites by respondents.
10
10
6
4
FACEBOOK
WHATSAPP
YOUTUBE
OTHER
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
SocialNetworkingSitesUsedbyStudents
TimeSpenton SocialNetwork
0 hour
1/2 hour
1 hour
2 hour
3 hour
4 hour

18. Analysis of Findings
In conducting this research, agreements were revealed throughout this assignment. The
data collected from the respondents clearly showed that social networking sites has an impact on
the academic performance of students.
Social networking site is seen as the building of online communications that allow the
interaction between groups of people who share a common interest. However this social site has
captured most of students’ attention and that causes them to spend less time on their academics.
Displayed by Fig. 1 the vast majority of the respondents who use social networking are
45% at the age 15-18 years, age group 11-13 years is 15%, 13-15 years is 19% and 18 years and
over at 21%, in the variation of ages 33% were male while the remaining 77% were females.

19. During the process of analyzing the data, it was concluded that the majority of the
respondents (97%) use or has access to social networking sites while the other 3% said doesn’t.
When confronted with that question about if social networking sites affect educational status, 15%
said sometimes it affects their academics, 3% said seldom, 10% postulated that often times it does
and the other 72% stated that social networking sites never affect their academics.
When asked about the purpose of using social networking site 25% responded by saying
educational support, 68% said socialization while the remaining 7% postulated that their purpose
is comfort. The researcher also query if the time spent on social networks reduces their educational
practices 57% said no with the other 43% saying yes.
The respondents reported the number of hours they spent on social networks per day. 10% spent half
hour, 17% spent one hour per day 23% spent two hours per day and 50% spent more than two hours.
They were no respondents who spent zero hours on the social networks. The consumption levels for more
than two hours are the highest (see Fig 7).
Discussion of Findings
It is the intention of the researcher to find how the impacts of social networking on the
academic performance of adolescents. Upon the completion of this research, the researcher
made the following discoveries that adolescents focus more on social networking sites and less
time on their academics which the results in addiction.
The findings have showed that 80% of adolescents uses social networking sites and the
vast major of users are in the age group of 15-18 years old. Due to this practice of the
respondents, they are unable to produce the kind of performance needed to help improve their
academics and as such perform below the required levels.

20. The researcher was also made aware that social networking sites doesn’t only affect
academic performance but it also changes the behavioural patterns of these individuals.
Adolescents learn by observation and what is known to be imitation. In addition these practices
of adolescents tend to allow them to behave in unfamiliar way which is not a norm of society.
Engaging in social media is a routine activity that entice adolescent by enhancing
communications, social connection and even technical skills, however, adolescents who uses
interactive social networking sites on a very regular basis, tends to be influenced by antisocial
beliefs.
Technology has shown a great improvement by producing communications devices. Technology
is a step towards betterment, no doubt but any technology which can provide ease of social
network can be dangerous because social sites is a straight invitation of addiction to adolescent
as academic satisfaction is not enough for those students who suffers from social isolation.
Social networks grab the attention and concentration of the students and divert them towards non
educational, unethical and inappropriate actions. Due to the fact that academic procrastination
and motivational problems seem to be correlated, these problems can be overcome by creating a
positive attitude toward academic tasks. It seems that when students access social media sites, it
has a negative effect in academic performance however, through social media sites students have
access to announcement of tasks and notes uploaded through social media sites help motivate
students to study and achieve well on assignments.

21. Appendix
CoverLetter
Dear Students,
This is a survey being conducted in your school to determine some of the possible
influences social networking sites has on students’ academic performance. This study is being

22. carried as an Internal Assessment (I.A). You are required to answer all questions. All
information will be kept confidentially.
Yours Truly,
The Researcher
Questionnaires
1. Age 11-14 ( ) 14-17 ( ) 17-19 ( )
2. Gender Male ( ) female ( )
3. Do you use any social networking site?

23. Yes ( ) No ( )
4. What are your favourite social networking site (s)?
Facebook ( ) Youtube ( ) Instagram ( ) Whatsapp ( ) Twitter ( )
5. Does social networks affects your educational status?
Sometimes ( ) Seldom ( ) Often ( ) Never ( )
6. What is your major purpose for the use of social networks?
Educational purposes ( ) Socialization ( ) Comfort ( )
7. How often do you use social networking sites?
Weekly ( ) Daily ( ) Monthly ( )
8. What is the time span spent on social networking sites per day?
1-2 hours ( ) 3-4 Hours ( ) 5-6 Hours ( ) 8 hours and more ( )
9. How do you rate the following uses of social networking sites in education?
Excellent ( ) Good ( ) Average ( ) Poor ( )
10. Does social networking sites widen your social skills?
Sometimes ( ) Often ( ) Seldom ( ) Never ( )
11. Would you consider social networking sites to be trustworthy?
Agree ( ) Strongly Agree ( ) Disagree ( ) strongly Disagree ( )
12. How social network can help to develop your social skills?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
13. Does social network reduce time spent on educational practices?
Yes ( ) No ( )
14. What can be done to alleviate the level of time spend on social networking sites?

24. ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Bibliography
Clarke, K., & O' Keeffe, G. (2011). The Impact og Social Media on Children, Adolescents and
Families. PEDIATRICS, 800-804.
Flad, K. (2010). The Influence of Social Networking Participation on Students Academic
Performance Across Gender Lines. Digital Common- Brockport.

25. Greenwood, B. (2009, January 06). How Can Social Networking Sites Affects Teens? Retrieved
from http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/can-social-network-sites-affect-teens-13459.html
Mustapha, N. (2013). SOCIOLOGY FOR CARIBBEAN STUDENTS. Kingston: Ian Randle
Publishers.
Sandy, M. (2012). Social Media. In M. Sandy, Social Studies Essential for CSEC (p. 225).
Carlong Publisher Limited.
Speechprosody. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.speechprosody2012.org/academic-essay-
sample-social-network-impact-on-youth.asp