EXPLORING THE IMPACT OF FACEBOOK ON THE POLITICAL VIEWS OF
HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN
ALAMINOS CITY NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
A Qualitative Research
In Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Subject
Practical Research I
By:
ADVINCULA, GWYNETH FIONA C.
ASIA, YESHA MARRY T.
BANDONG, JELLIAN B.
NELSON, FRANCESCA SIMONE H.
TOBIAS, JHORIN MAE C.
JANUARY 2024
Research Adviser:
Sir. Leovanny Aglibot
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT……………….………………………………...i
DEDICATION……………………………………………………………..ii
Chapter
I. INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study…………………………………….
Statement of the Problem…………………………………….
Significance of the Study…………………………………….
Scope and Delimitation………………...…………………...
Definition of Terms………………………………..………….
II. REVIEW OF THE RELATED LITERATURE & STUDIES
Foreign Literatures…………………………………...………...
Local Literatures……………………………………………….
Foreign Studies………………………………………………
Local Studies………………………………………………...
III METHODOLOGY
Research Design……………………………………………...
Participants of the Study……………………………………...
Profile of the Participants...…………………………………...
Data Gathering Procedures…………………………………...
Data Analysis…………………………………………………
Ethical Considerations………………………………….……..
IV RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
Profile of the Participants…………………………………..…
How does political content on Facebook
influence your political views as a student……………..…….
Interpretation of Findings………………………….………….
How do you ensure that the content about politics
on Facebook is reliable………….…………….………………
Interpretation of Findings………...….………………….……
What are the challenges you faced by engaging in
political content on Facebook……………..…………………
Interpretations of Findings………………………....…………
In what ways do you think the information you encounter
on Facebook contributes to the evolution of your
political view….………………………………………….....
Interpretations of Findings……………...………………..……
Why are you engaging in political content on Facebook……..
Interpretations of Findings…………………..………..………….
V SUMMARY, CONCLUSION, AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Summary……………………………………………………..
Conclusion……………………………………………………
Recommendations…………………..………………………..
REFERENCES
APPENDICES A Letters
B Gantt Chart
C Curriculum Vitae
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
This chapter contains the background of the study, statement of the problem, objectives of the
study, significance of the study, scope and delimitation, and research questions.
Background of the Study
New media and technology have changed interpersonal interaction, communication
patterns, and social and political discussions. Media and communication scholars, political
scientists, sociologists, and international relations scholars have conducted hundreds of
studies on various aspects of social media usage. Facebook has a significant impact on social
interactions, attachment, communication styles, and discussions on social and political issues
(Golan et al. 2019).
Gil de Zúñiga et al. (2010) and Shrestha (2013) further pointed out that internet use is a
predictor of offline political participation since the spread of political information online
increases the probability of engaging politically offline. Moreover, various empirical evidence
shows that the Internet has a significant role in transforming patterns of political participation.
Facebook is now playing important roles refers to as “migration process” wherein
youth around the world are using the platform to address their problem of political apathy,
and also engaging in online political discussion that may eventually promote good governance
and development in the society. Abdu SD. et al (2018).
According to (Mosquera et al. 2019) report that being off Facebook for a week
reduces news consumption and makes individuals less able to recognize bias in political news
stories, but they do not examine the effect on political polarization. It is likely that in both
cases the estimates represent the local average treatment effects (LATE), as the most
politically polarized individuals who use social media for political activities may be less
willing to participate in such experiments. Masiha et al. (2018) Political activities on
Facebook are new ways to engage in political matters because they are also low-cost
compared to offline political activism. Facebook provides a platform for individuals to get
political information and participate in public issues.
Based on The "National Youth Commission Act," officially known as Republic Act
No. 8044, is a Philippine law enacted on June 6, 1995. National Youth Commission Act's,
mission is to promote and protect the rights and welfare of young Filipinos, as well as to
ensure their active participation in nation-building and development. Republic Act No. 8044
promotes and supports the formation and growth of youth organizations. This also involved
advocating policies and programs that promote the well-being and development of youth,
ensuring their rights and interests are considered in government decisions.
Part of Presidential Decree No. 603 otherwise known as “The Child and Youth
Welfare Code” issued in December 1974 is the decree promotes the active participation of
children and youth in decision-making processes on matters affecting them and the decree
encourages the formation and participation of youth organizations, which can contribute to
the personal and social development of student.
Most students were found to use Facebook for political awareness and knowledge,
and higher political self-efficacy was found to significantly enhance political participation.
Facebook consumption among young adults is common in both the developed and developing
world. Almost all political parties and their affiliated, or independent individual politicians
have active Facebook accounts to share their political agenda and information about political
activities (Ahmad et al., 2019).
Vosoughi et al., (2018) also know that social media providers typically do not police
the accuracy or the sources of content posted to their platforms; and, because of how
Facebook functions, information—be it true or false—can be shared or promoted quickly,
easily, and repeatedly. Facebook’s capability for speedy dissemination poses an especially
acute challenge regarding false information because it tends to be shared or promoted more
often than accurate information.
The youths also use social media to participate in various political activities, chiefly
among which are political advocacy, political campaigns, communicating with politicians,
political discussions, monitoring and reporting electoral malpractices, public consultations,
joining interest groups that engage in lobbying, blogging about political issues and writing
letters to public officials. Since youths are prolific users of social media, it is easy for them to
use it to also participate in political activities. Omotayo, F., & Folorunso, M. B. (2020).
Statement of the Problem
The objective of this phenomenological study is to explore the impact of Facebook on
the political views of HUMSS Senior High School Students. The proliferation of Facebook as
a social media platform has raised concerns about its potential influence on the political views
and beliefs of Senior High School HUMSS students at Alaminos City National High School.
This study aims to explore how Facebook usage contributes to the formation, alteration, and
polarization of political opinions among these students. It will investigate content exposure,
peer interactions, and media consumption on Facebook and their implications for developing
political perspectives within this demographic. Additionally, this research will examine any
moderating or mediating variables that might shape the relationship between Facebook use
and the Political views of HUMSS Senior High School Students in this context.
This study attempts to answer the following questions.
1. What is the profile of the participants from the Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS)
Senior High that participated in this study:
a. Age;
b. Gender;
c. Address; and
d. Section;
2. How does political content on Facebook influence your political views as a student?
3. How do you ensure that the content about politics on Facebook is reliable?
4. What are the challenges you faced by engaging in political content on Facebook?
5. In what ways do you think the information you encounter on Facebook contributes to the
evolution of your political view?
6. Why are you engaging in political content on Facebook?
Significance of the Study
This Qualitative Research study titled “Exploring the Impact of Facebook on the
Political Views of Senior High School HUMSS Students in Alaminos City National High
School,” may contribute meaningfully to understanding, analyzing, and coping with the said
problem. This study can the:
Students. This will help them to be aware of how politicians use Facebook as a Platform for
their projects and plans for the future. This awareness can contribute to a more informed and
critical understanding of political content in the digital age.
Politicians. They can have better opportunities for improved engagement, data-driven
decision-making, and a more informed approach to addressing the concerns and issues that
matter to young adults.
Future researchers. This will help them to have more knowledge about the impact of
Facebook on political views, this study can also give them information on how Facebook
works in influencing the political views of students. They can use the study as a springboard
for further exploration, policy analysis, and interventions aimed at enhancing youth
engagement in this type of problem.
Scope and Delimitation
The research exclusively centers on Facebook, excluding consideration of other
social media platforms to uphold precision and depth. It specifically aims at students enrolled
in the Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) strand, enabling a more nuanced
investigation into how Facebook shapes the political perspectives of students in this particular
academic specialization. The primary focus of the study is on Facebook as the platform under
scrutiny, concentrating on comprehending how political views evolve through interactions on
this specific social media platform. This specificity is instrumental in crafting a more intricate
and meaningful exploration of how Facebook impacts the political views of Senior High
School HUMSS students in Alaminos City National High School.
The exploration of the impact of Facebook on the political views of Senior High
School Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) students in Alaminos City National High
School is delimited by several factors. First and foremost, the study focuses exclusively on
Facebook, deliberately excluding other social media platforms to maintain a clear and in-
depth investigation. The geographical scope is limited to Alaminos City National High
School, ensuring a localized context for the research. Furthermore, the study narrows down its
participants to students specifically enrolled in the HUMSS strand, recognizing the unique
academic orientation and potential differences in exposure to political content compared to
students in other strands.
Definition of Terms
The following terms were defined for a better understanding of the study.
Exploring. It means examining completely in order to find out more about something or to
investigate, study, or analyze.
Facebook. This is a social networking site that makes it easy for you to connect and share
with family and friends online.
Political Views. Political Views refer to a view that has some bearing on issues dealt with by
the government.
HUMSS Students. Students under the Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) strand that
are following this pathway develop strong communication and critical thinking skills, as well
as an understanding of cultural differences.
Impact. Impact is to have a strong effect or influence on a situation or a person.
CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES
This chapter presents the literature and studies which includes journal articles and other
reading materials which bear significance to the present study.
Review of Related Literature
Foreign Literature
According to Freitag (2003) we test the influence of social networks on political
participation. There are, however, vast differences in networks and the types of interaction in
these networks. The results show a strong positive relationship between social networking—
including network hierarchy and some forms of openness—and political participation.
Bosch (2013) In South Africa, discovered the high level of engagement among the
young generation on Facebook and Twitter. Furthermore, it revealed that the youth consider
these online platforms as essential channels for news information and space to freely associate
themselves with a specific cause or advocacy. Bode (2012) argues that, through interaction,
conversation, and possible preference alteration, Facebook use may not just lead to civic skills
but may also influence users. In that respect, future research should try to look at the effects
and benefits of civic interaction on social media beyond the instances of communication
itself.
According to Amaefule (2011) “Facebook, which is one of the first social media
tools was launched in 2004 and has over 664.03 million users in about 233 countries
worldwide”. Since Facebook was launched, there has been massive interest from Africans to
use the medium for different purposes, especially among the youth. This observation has been
echoed by Narnia Bohler and Charl (2010) thus: Facebook is currently the most visited
website by internet users on the African continent and currently17 million people on the
continent use Facebook.
Muzaffar (2016) in his study “Educational Institutions and Political Awareness in
Pakistan: A Case Study of Punjab” has found that Pakistani educational institutes, their
environment, and their curriculum, are not teaching the information to the students of
secondary school certificates. The results of this study showed that the level of political
awareness was 7.17%. This study is very comprehensive but it determined the political
awareness through educational institutions this study is designed to determine the effects of
social media in enhancing the level of political awareness among the students of BS and M.
Phil programs.
Vaccari et al. (2015) surveyed Italians who discussed the 2013 election on
Facebook and demonstrated that the more they acquired political information via
social media and expressed themselves politically on these platforms, the more they were
also likely to be involved in more demanding online political activities such as actively
campaigning for a party or candidate.
Local Literature
In the Philippines, internet have changed the lifestyle of the Filipino people because
they rely primarily on the internet as the medium of communication and information. For
millennials, social media is the lifeline of information (Buenaobra, 2016).
Pariabras, R. (2013) almost all students at Misamis University have only one social
media account. Facebook dominates among the social media sites that they prefer for political
issues. Rodrigo Duterte appeared to be their preferred presidential candidate for the 2016
Philippines presidential election. Student participation in social media on issues relating to
presidential candidates was relatively less.
In the Philippines, a study has revealed that social networking sites were used by the
youth as spaces for discussion with politicians, as well as venues for the expression of
political
opinion through social media posts and blogs, gathering public support through online
network
building, and mobilizing them through social media (David, 2013).
However, Sebastian (2014) asserted that the Filipino youth is not as disengaged as
people claim them to be. She underlined that the youth are most active in electoral
participation, including registering to vote, voting in local elections, and voting in national
elections. Her study revealed that the youth’s disappointment in national and local politics is
why they randomly participate in other political activities.
The essence of the Filipino youths’ existence is also enshrined in the 1987
Philippine Constitution. Article II (Declaration of Principles and State Policies) Section 13
acknowledges the imperative role of the nation’s youth in nation-building; thus, the Philippine
government ensures that its youth will achieve a good education.
Foreign Studies
In Asia, Hong and Lin (2017) reveal that Singaporean youth are more confident in
using online news media sources because of the ease of access, lower cost, and perceived
safety of online social media platforms. They further claim that there is a vast opportunity
offered by social media use as it can be the new online channel whereby the youth can learn
more about politicians and the issues related to public concerns.
Political participation in China extends beyond the confines of government-led
engagement, encompassing activities like protests, demonstrations, and, intriguingly, even
bribes.Political participation in China is not limited to the government-led political
participation discussed above. The purposes of some forms of political participation are to
challenge the authority or reduce the legitimacy of the CCP’s governance (Y. Cai 2008).
Political participation is one of the major characteristics of democracy. With the
ever-changing society, there is an expansion of the available forms of participation which
placed a problem in its conceptualization as there are new modes of participation (van Deth,
2016).
Local Studies
The study of Jacinto (2018) also reveals that political interest, efficacy, and social
networking-based political activities are significantly related to offline political participation
among Filipinos. Basilisco et al (2015) also argued that the convenient motivations of
Facebook use for communication, information, and news consumption can motivate the
Filipinos to be more politically engaged online.
The University of San Carlos (USC), Cebu Normal University (CNU), and the
University of the Philippines- Cebu College (UP-Cebu) in Cebu City were selected as the
research environment of the study primarily because the city itself has an impressive political
structure and culture as a result of historical developments (Sanchez, 2017). Also, the political
practices and economic activities strengthen the electoral competition and capital
accumulation, making Cebuano's politics dynamic throughout its history (Sanchez, 2017).
