Usage and Function of Social Media among Students in Higher Education Institutions

Abstract

This study aimed to find out the usage and function of social media among students in higher education institutions in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, Philippines. The researcher used the mixed methods research design to determine the social media usage and function among students. The study revealed that students in higher education institutions are not yet very much engaged to social media considering their low social media utilization. Interestingly, differentials in social media utilization is explained by religion, senior high school track, department affiliation, and academic strand. Higher social media utilization is observed among Roman Catholic students, non-academic graduates, senior high school track, department affiliation, and those who took the general academic strand. Furthermore, social media utilization is not associated with students’ average family income, age, and year level. It is recommended that parents/guardians should continue monitoring their children/wards in using their social media account to maintain low to medium usage and exposure to electronic gadgets; teachers should allow their students utilize their social media account as it greatly helps them in performing their various academic tasks; and students should maintain their social media utilization under control at a minimal load expense.