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.
