Facebook and its perceived effects on the academic stress of junior highschool students in Caloocan City

Abstract

This study was conducted with the hope of determining how the use of Facebook affects the academic stress level of junior highschool students. Specifically, it aims to discover the possible therapeutic and harmful consequences it entails in relation to a student‟s academic stress. Three hundred (300) third year highschool students coming from both public and private schools in Caloocan city were clustered selected to participate in this study. After obtaining their informed consent, a survey measuring their academic stress was given. An interview exploring the selected survey respondents‟ personal discernment on the role of Facebook in their perceived academic stress was also conducted. In terms of analyzing the data, both qualitative and quantitative techniques were employed. The results showed that 60 percent of the third year highschool students interviewed perceived the use of Facebook to be stress-alleviating. Using Facebook to receive school-related updates and communication through it to ask their online network for help regarding their academic issues was the dominant factor that surfaced which was said to lessen their academic stress. Gaming, posting a status and chatting with their schoolmates, peers and family were included as well. 33.3 percent have an ambivalent attitude towards Facebook for while they reported it to help them relieve their stress they also noted that it also gave them stress at the same time because while it served as an academic tool, it also caused them to procrastinate. There was no significant discrepancy recorded between the responses of students from public and private school.