EXPLORING PARENTS' PERSPECTIVES OF THE EFFECT

OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON THEIR CHILDREN

A Research Paper

Presented to the Faculty of

Liceo De Pila

San Pablo Diocesan Catholic School System

Pila, Laguna.

In Partial Fulfillment of the

Requirements for the English X

Members:

Lianne Kaeley Ello

Remielle Manglangit

EJ Constantino

Reijie Patriciah Rabang

Rioky Dwyn Pamatmat

May 2024
 CHAPTER 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

This chapter contains the introduction, background of the study,

theoretical framework, conceptual framework, statement of the

problem, hypothesis, significance of the study, scope and limitation,

and definition of terms.

Introduction

Nowadays, social media platforms play a significant role in

creating the essence of parental connections, which differ from the past

due to their active presence in the expanding digital world. The growth

of social media has created both opportunities and challenges,

particularly in terms of assisting children in their development. Social

media has become an undeniable force in our lives, and parents are

keenly aware of its impact on their children. Their perspectives tend to

be a mix of positive and negative influences, often laced with concern.

Many children and adolescents now live primarily in the age of new

media (such as social media, smartphones, tablets, and mobile phones)

and conventional media (such as television). The Internet is a huge

resource that offers enjoyment, information, and risk. It can be

challenging for parents to shield their kids from the risks that the Internet

might present. Most people's lives revolve around social media and even
children appear to have social media accounts. It is incorrect because the

social media platform is not for children since there are things they see

on it or watch that are not for them, especially when they are young,

because sometimes when a child watches or sees it, they do it or imitate

it even if they don't know if it's right or not.

According to (CrossRef), Examining the effects of children's use

of digital technology is becoming increasingly important due to its rapid

development. The variety of media that has become available has

expanded in recent decades. It has also become more common for

children and teenagers to have access to the Internet and to have a

computer or television in their bedrooms. Most of them also own mobile

phones. The usage of mobile devices by younger children and newborns

is becoming more common. According to a study by Kabali et al., kids

between the ages of six months and four years old watch 45 minutes of

television every day, spend 27 minutes on mobile devices watching

videos or television shows, spend 22 minutes using apps, and play video

games for 15 minutes on a video console. 58% of Turkey's total

population is an active Internet user, 53% is an active social media user,

90% has a mobile connection, and 45% is an active mobile social user,

according to the recently released "Digital in 2016" research from "We

Are Social." 86% of people in the general population own a mobile

phone (of any kind), 56% a smartphone, 48% a desktop or laptop

computer, and 11% a tablet. In Turkey, the average person watches two

hours and eighteen minutes of television each day, uses a computer or

tablet to access the Internet for four hours and fourteen minutes each

day, and spends two hours and thirty-two minutes each day on social

media. Nineteen percent of Facebook users are between the ages of

thirteen and nineteen.

Social media addiction affects practically everyone, regardless

of age, and results in a loss of communication and family bonding as

everyone spends their time on their phones and on social media rather

than spending time together. Not all social media platforms and the

Internet are safe places for kids and teenagers, it is critical that parents

educate themselves on these platforms. Many parents don't seem to have

many guidelines about their kids' and teens' media usage, even with all

of this media time and new technologies. According to two-thirds of kids

and teens in a recent research, their parents "have no rules" about how

much time they can spend on social media.

Background of the Study

The importance that social media plays in the lives of the present

digital generation stems from these hotspots. What, after all, has piqued
adults' interest in further advanced digitalization? The fact is that

retrieving knowledge has become considerably simpler, particularly via

the worldwide web. In addition, parents may now quickly search the

internet for parenting guidance thanks to social networks and new smart

technology. Conversely, this simplifies life by marking important

occasions like children's birthdays. Generally speaking, this fact shows

much more than just how commonplace electronics are. It demonstrates

how social media has already evolved to become an essential component

of the parenting culture of today. Even if digital media is helping

youngsters learn new things, there's a chance that too much screen time

and exposure to digital resources could harm kids' cognitive abilities,

socioemotional development, and overall well-being. As a result, the

current discussions over social media's impact on parenting center on

striking a balance between apparent benefits and unadvertised risks,

with the ultimate goal of resolving the nature of this influence.

This study looked into how young adolescents' use of social

networking sites (SNSs) to take risks is mediated by parents and peers.

In Malaysia, 469 SNS users between the ages of 13 and 14 participated

in a survey that found that parental mediation centered on control can

have a domino effect, increasing the propensity for young adolescents

to take risks on SNSs. One of the problems in the Philippines with

relation to parents' opinions on the impact of social media on their kids

is that parents restrict their kids' screen time to no more than two hours.

A lot of students use cellphones inside the room while the teacher is

teaching which affects the behavior of the students. Discussion-based

parental mediation did not lessen privacy threats, but it was found to be

adversely correlated with young adolescents' tendency to friend

strangers on social networking sites. Results also hinted at the possibility

of unfavorable consequences from peer pressure. Specifically, young

adolescents were more likely to reveal personally identifiable

information on SNSs if they chatted to their friends about Internet-

related problems.

Even though there is mounting evidence that social media has

a negative impact on adolescents' mental health, empirical research on

how teenagers view social media, particularly as a source of knowledge

or as a means of expressing their opinions, is still lacking.

Theoretical Framework

This study's theoretical foundation is based on the social

cognitive theory, which holds that people learn from both seeing other

people in social situations and by the results of their own activities.

According to this idea, children's behavior and views in the social media
domain are shaped not just by their direct encounters with digital

platforms but also by watching how their parents use and view social

media.

Social cognitive theory is extremely applicable to the world of

social media. In addition to their direct contacts with online platforms,

parent’s modeling and guiding have a significant impact on children's

digital habits and perspectives. Children absorb digital communication

and interaction norms, values, and behavioral patterns from seeing their

parents use social media.

Furthermore, the idea contends that children's knowledge and

adaptability of online activities are influenced by their personal

experiences with social media. Children gain confidence in their ability

to manage their digital presence and interactions via trial and error, with

some supervision and feedback from parents helping them along the

way.

In conclusion, social cognitive theory provides a thorough

framework for comprehending the intricate relationships influencing

kids' attitudes and actions on social media. We may better understand

how parental modeling and guidance affect children's digital

experiences and views by acknowledging the significance of

observation, personal experiences, and self-regulation. This

understanding can then inform attempts to promote positive and

responsible online conduct. This study's theoretical foundation is based

on the social cognitive theory, which holds that people learn from both

seeing other people in social situations and by the results of their own

activities. According to this idea, children's behavior and views in the

social media domain are shaped not just by their direct encounters with

digital platforms but also by watching how their parents use and view

social media

Conceptual Framework

This study's conceptual framework consists of a number of

essential elements. First of all, it takes into account the different ways

that social media can affect children's cognitive growth, social

connections, and emotional health. It also looks at how parents shape

their kids' social media experiences by acting as intermediaries and role

models. Lastly, it acknowledges the dynamic and complex character of

this interaction by examining the connections between parental views,

practices, and the consequences of social media on kids.

INDEPENDENT VARIABLE DEPENDENT VARIABLE

Parental attitudes and behavior

toward social media
Parental view on social media
 Media Literacy affect children as well being
 Parental Guidance

Figure 1. RESEARCH PARADIGM OF THE STUDY

Statement of the Problem

The objective is to understand parents' viewpoints on their

children's use of social media and its impact to them.

Specifically, it aims to answer the following questions:

1. What strategies do they employ to navigate and avoid its

potential negative effects in terms of:

1.1 exposure to inappropriate content

1.2 cyber bullying

1.3 distraction from schoolwork and other responsibilities

2. What are parents' views on their children's engagement with

social media platforms in terms of:

2.1 socializing
2.3 learning

3. How do parents perceive the impact of social media on their

children, and what challenges do they face in guiding their

children's use of social media effectively.

Hypothesis
There is no significant effects on exploring parents' perspectives

of the effect of social media on their children

Significance of the Study

The purpose of this study was to assess children's media and

use as well as parents' attitudes and beliefs regarding their children's

media use, including the best age to use media, whether or not to have

media in the bedroom, when to use it, when to register for social media

accounts, and parental control.

Parents. Through this topic you will also gain knowledge about how

social media impacts their children's development through this

research. They also discover the significant influence social media has

on today's students.

Student. Can improve their critical thinking skills by reviewing

evidence and analyzing results in order to discover the positive and bad

effects of social media on parenting.

Researchers. The researcher will be able to determine whether it is

acceptable for kids to use social media platforms by learning about

parents' perspectives on the impact of social media on their kids

through this study. and letting parents know that their kids are

permitted to use social media.

Future Researchers. Application to other contexts: Future studies

might utilize the insights gained from the analysis to gain a deeper

understanding of how social media affects children's development in

various countries, societies, and situations.

Scope and Limitation

This study aimed to gain a comprehensive understanding on the

perspectives of the parents on how does the social media create an

impact to their children. By exploring parental attitudes, beliefs, and

behaviors, researchers aim to identify potential challenges, concerns,

impacts, and strategies for promoting healthy digital habits and

avoiding negative impacts of social media on children's well-being.The

study's respondents comprise forty (40) students from each of the four

sections in Grade Seven (7) at Liceo de Pila Junior High School whose

parents' perspectives have an impact on them.

Definition of Terms
Experience - It is a particular instance of personally encountering or

undergoing something

Interactions - Refers to communication or direct involvement with

someone or something.

Connection - It shows the relationship between a subject to the other

one.

Information – A facts provided or learned about something or

someone

Perspective - A particular attitude toward or way of regarding

something

Internet - A global computer network providing a variety of

information and communication facilities.

Usage - The action of using something

Pique - A feeling of irritation or resentment resulting from a slight,

especially to one's pride

Retrieving - Get or bring (something) back