Influence of Social Media Use on the Self-Concept and Social Behaviour of Adolescents in Secondary Schools in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya

  • Lydiah, O. Amgechi School of Education, University of Eldoret, P. o Box 1125, Eldoret, Kenya
  • Agnes M. Oseko School of Education, University of Eldoret, P. o Box 1125, Eldoret, Kenya
  • Jafred Muyaka School of Education, University of Eldoret, P. o Box 1125, Eldoret, Kenya
Keywords: Social Media Use, Self-Concept, Social Behaviour.

Abstract

Technological advances have been said to reduce the world into a global village thereby easing communication/interaction. By virtue of these, an online social community via the social media or Social Networking Sites (SNSs) has been birthed out. With the penetration of internet globally, billions of people are able to interact regardless of their location, race, gender or age. Young people (teenagers/ adolescents) have particularly been observed to be very active on social media. The interactions and activities they engage in, on social media can have either positive or negative influence on their self-concept and their social behaviour. This study therefore investigated the influence social media use has on the self-concept and social behaviour of adolescents in secondary schools in Uasin-Gishu County in Kenya. Descriptive research design was employed for the study. The study targeted students and teachers in secondary schools in Uasin Gishu County. Simple random sampling, stratified and purposive sampling were employed to yield a sample of 375 student respondents and 72 teacher respondents for the study. Questionnaires, interview schedules and focus group discussions were used for data collection. Data analysis was done with the aid of the SPSS software version 26. The study found out that in an overall sense, social media usage correlated positively with the self-concept and social behaviour of adolescents at p=0.409 and p=0.309 respectively. It concluded that social media use influenced self-concept and consequently the social behaviour of adolescents and thus recommended vigilance on the part of stakeholders and guidance and counselling to adolescents on proper use of social media.

References

Abadali, K. R., Asatsa, S., & Ntaragawe, M. (2021). Adolescents' Social Networking and Self-Concept in Public Mixed Day Secondary Schools in Kajiado North Sub-County, Kenya. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science.

Allen, B., & Waterman, H. (Undated). Stages of Adolescence. Retrieved from healthy children.org: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/teen/Pages/Stages-of-Adolescence.aspx

American Psychological Association. (2021, November 14). Developing Adolescents: A reference for Professionals. Retrieved from American Psychological Association: https://www.apa.org/topics/teens/developing-adolescents-professionals-reference

APA Dictionary of Psychology. (Undated). Imaginary audience. Retrieved from American Psychological Association: https://dictionary.apa.org/imaginary-audience

Asare-Donkoh, F. (2018). Impact of Social Media on Ghanian High Schools. Retrieved from University of Nebraska Lincoln: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/1914/

Bistami, N. A. (2021, August 03). Antisocial Behaviour. Retrieved from Study.com: https://study.com/lesson/antisocial-behaviour.html

boyd, d. m., & Ellison, N. B. (2007). Social Network Sites:Definition, History, and Scholarship. Jounal of Computer-Mediated-Communication, 210-230.

Cheong, P. H., & Hwang, J. (2010). The Role of the Self-Concept in Media Usage. Retrieved from galileo.com/literature/media09.pdf:http:www.galileoco.com

Cherry, K. (2017, February 13). What is the Actualizing Tendency? Retrieved from Explore Psychology: https://www.explorepsychology.com/actualizing-tendency/

Cherry, K. (2020, November 24). Kurt Lewin and Modern Psychology. Retrieved from verywell mind: https://www.verywellmind.com/kurt-lewin-biography-1890-1947-2795540

Cherry, K. (2020, October 13). The Basics of Prosocial Behavior. Retrieved from verywell mind: https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-prosocial-behavior-2795479

Christofferson, J. P. (2016, May). How is Social Networking Sites Effecting Teens' Social and Emotional Development: A Systemic Review. Retrieved from St, Catherine University: https://sophia.stkate.edu/msw_papers/650/

Cipolletta, S., Malighetti, C., Cenedese, C., & Spoto, A. (2020). How Can Adolescents Benefit from the Use of Social Networks? The iGeneration on Instagram. International Journal of Environmental Research & Public Health.

Communication Theory. (Undated). Uses and Gratification Theory. Retrieved from Communication Theory: https://www.communicationtheory.org/uses-and-gratification-theory/

Communications Authority of Kenya. (2022, July 4). 96.4 % of Kenyans now Enjoy 3G/4G Mobile Services. Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com>CAOKenya

Cummins, E. (2021, November 30). Antisocial Behaviour: Definition and Examples. Retrieved from Study.com: https://study.com/academy/lesson/antisocial-behaviour-definition-examples-html

Deeksha, S. (Undated). Social Behaviour: Meaning, Bases and Kinds. Retrieved from Psychology Discussion: https://www.psychologydiscussion.net/social-psychology-2/social-behaviour/social-behaviour-meaning-bases-and-kinds/1310

Delmar Cengage Learning. (Undated). Chapter 43:Self-Concept. Retrieved from Delmar Cengage Learning: www.delmarlearning.com/companions/content/0766838366/students/ch43/summary.asp

EduGyan. (2017, March 28). Adjustment & Mladjustment: Characteristics and Causes. Retrieved from EduGyan: www.edugyan.in/2017/03/adjustment-maladjustment.html

Essoungou, A.-M. (2010, December 31). A Social Media Boom Begins in Africa. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/310784933_A_social_media_boom_begins_in_Africa

Fernandez, E. P., & Gomez, J. L. (2006). Agresion Y conducta Antisocial en lLa Adolescencia Una Integracion Conceptual. Psicopatologia Clinica Legal Y Forense, 9-24.

Foreman, C. (2017, June 20). 10 Types of Social Media and How each Can Benefit Your Business. Retrieved from https://blog.hootsuite.com>types-of-social-media

Gil-Or, O., Levi-Belz, Y., & Turel, O. (2015, February 17). The "False Facebook-Self" : Characteristics and Psychological Predictors of False Self-Presenttion on Facebook. Retrieved from Frontiers: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00099/full

iEduNote. (Undated). Focus Group Discussions. Retrieved from iEduNote: https://www.iedunote.com/focus-group-discussions

Jhangiani, R., Tarry, H., & Stangor, C. (2022). Principles of Social Psychology (1st International H5P edition). Retrieved from BC Campus: https://opentextbc.ca/socialpsychology/

Junior, M. (2020, November 21). DCI Begins Probing Online Gang Luring Teenage Girls to 'Sex Parties'. Retrieved from The Standard: https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/amp/news/article
/2001394707/dci-begins-probing-online-gang-luring-teenage-girls-to-sex-parties

Kakkar, G. (undated). What are the Different Types of Social Media? Retrieved from https:www.digitalvidya.com/blog/types-of-social-media/

Kamuni, J. (2018, September 20). Questionnaire: Definition, Examples, Design and Types/QuestionPro. Retrieved from Medium: https://medium.com/@jagadishkamuni/questionnaire-definition-examples-design-and-types-questionpro-34c9e3f488b

Kemp, S. (2020, January 30). DIGITAL 2020: 3.8 BILLION PEOPLE USE SOCIAL MEDIA. Retrieved from https://wearesocial.com/uk/blog/2020/01/digital-2020-3-8-billion-people-use-social-media/

Kemp, S. (2022, February 15). Digital 2022: Kenya. Retrieved from DATAREPORT: https://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2022-kenya

Kothari, C. (2014). Research Methodology: Methods & Techniques 4th Edition. New Delhi: New Age International (P) Limited.

Livsey, B. K. (2013, May). Self-Concept and Online Social Networking in Young Adolescents: Implications for School Counselors. Retrieved from University of Texas at Austin: https://repositories.lib.utexas.edu/handle/2152/22468

Lumen. (Undated). The Humanistic Perspective. Retrieved from Lumen: https:/courses.lumenlearning.com/com-lifespan

Lumen. (Undated). The Humanistic Perspective:A Focus on Uniquely Human Qualities. Retrieved from Lumen: https:/courses.lumenlearning.c0m/wm-lifespandevelopment/chapter/the-humanistic-perspective/

McCrocklin, S. (2019, September 30). Smartphone and Mobile Internet Penetration in Africa and Globally. Retrieved from https://www.geopoll.com/blog/smartphone-mobile-internet-penetration-africa/

McLeod, S. (2014, February 05). Carl Rogers Theory. Retrieved from Simply Psychology: https://www.simplypsychology.org/carl-rogers.html

McLeod, S. (2018). Questionnaire:Definition, Examples, Design and Types. Retrieved from Simply Psychology: https://www.simplypsychology.org/questionnaire.html

Moretti, M. M., & Peled, M. (2004, October). Adolescent -Parental attachment: Bonds that Support Healthy Development. Retrieved from National Library of Medicine: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2724162

Mugenda, O. M., & Mugenda, A. G. (2012). Research Methods. Nairobi: African Centre for Technology Studies .

Mwadime, E. m. (2015, October). An Investigation on the Impact of Online Social Networking on Academic Performance Among High School Students in Urban Areas:A Case Study of
Westlands Sub-County, Nairobi. Retrieved from University of Nairobi: erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/93938

Nyagah, S., Nyagah, V., Asatsa, S., & Mwania, J. M. (2015, February 01). Social Networking Sites and Their Influence on the Self-Esteem of Adolescents in Embu County , Kenya. Retrieved from Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/279996429_Social_Networking_Sites_and_Their_Influence_on_the_Self_Esteem_of_Adolescents_in_Embu_County_Kenya

Nyambuga, C., & Ogweno, J. (2014). The Influence osf Social Media on Youth Leisure in Rongo University. J Mass Communicat Journalism, 4-9.

Nyongesa, S. C., Kiprop, C., & Chumba, S. (2019). Influence of Social Media on Students' Discipline in Secondary Schools in Kenya. Global Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, 41-63.

OER Services. (undated). Humanistic Approachess. Retrieved from OER Services: https://courses.lumenlearning.com/sung-hccc-ss-15-1/chapter/humanistic-approaches/

Orodho, J. A. (2005). Techniques of Writing Research Proposals and Reports in Education and Social Sciences. Nairobi: Kanezja HP Enterprises.

Ortiz-Ospina, E. (2019, September 18). The Rise of Social Media. Retrieved from https://ourworldindata.org/rise-of-social-media

Oso, W. Y., & Onen, D. (2008). A General Guide to Writing Research Proposal and Report. Kampala: Makerere University Printery.

Patrick, R. (2015, January 05). Conceptual Framework: A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Make One. Retrieved from Simplyeducate.me: https://simplyeducate.me/2015/01/05/conceptual-framework-guide

Pew Research Center. (2018, May 31). Teens, Social Media and Technology 2018. Retrieved from Pew Research Center: https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2018/05/31/teens-social-media-technology-2018/

Pfeiffer, C., Kleeb, M., Mbelwa, A., & Ahorlu, C. (2014). The Use of Social Media among Adolescents in Dae es Salaam and Mtwara, Tanzania. Reproductive Health Matters, 178-186.

Price, P. C., Jhangiani, R. S., Chiang, I.-C. A., Leighton, D. C., & Cuttler, C. (2017, August 21). Research Methods In Psychology. Retrieved from PRESSBOOKS: https://opentext.wsu.edu/carriecuttler/

Rogers, S. (2019, October 15). The Role of Technology in Evolution of Communication. Retrieved from Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/sites/solrogers/2019/10/15/the-role-of-technology-in-the-evolution-of-communication/?sh=6550994f493b

Rosenberg, M. (1979). Conceiving the Self. New York: Basic Books.

Sari, T. H. (2019, September). Use of Social Media with Self-Concept and Social Adjustment of Adolescents at SMPN 2 Singingi Hilir Riau. Retrieved from Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/335566740_Use_of_Social_Media_with_Self_Concept_and_Social_Adjustment_of_Adolescents_at_SMPN_2_Singingi_Hilir_Riau

Shapiro, L. A., & Margolin, G. (2013, May). Growing Up Wired: Social NetworkingSites and Adolescent Psychosocial Development. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/236639313_Growing_Up_Wired_Social_Networking_Sites_and_Adolescent_Psychosocial_Development

SIMElab. (2019, August 16). Social Media Consumption in Kenya: Trends and Practices. Retrieved from https://www.usiu.ac.ke/1346/simelab-launches-social-media-consumption-in-kenya-report

Spring, E. R. (2002). Uses& Gratifications/Dependency Theory. Retrieved from zimmer.csufresno.edu/-johnca/spch 100/7-4-uses.htm

Statcounter. (2022, July). Social Media Stats in Africa- July 2022. Retrieved from https://gs.statcounter.com/social-media-stats/all/africa
Trochim, W. M. (Undated). Descriptive Statistics. Retrieved from Conjointly: https://conjointly.com/kb/descriptive-statistics/

Uasin Gishu County Government. (2019). Uasin Gishu County Overview. Retrieved from Uasin Gishu County: https://www.uasingishu.go.ke

Uasin Gishu County Government. (2019). Uasin Gishu County Overview. Retrieved from Uasin Gishu County: https://www.uasingishu.go.ke

Varghese, T., Nivedhitha, D., & Krishnatray, P. (2013). Teenagers' Usage of Social Networking in a South Indian State. International Journal of Scientific and Engineering Research, 622-636.

Vetter, S., Frost, & Sullivan. (2021, September 29). Descriptive Research Design. Retrieved from Voxco: https://www.voxco.com/blog/descriptive-research-design/

Vinney, C. (2018, November 12). What is Self-Concept in Psychology? Retrieved from ThoughtCo.: https://www.thoughtco.com/self-concept-psychology-4176368

Vinney, C. (2019, April 19). What Is Uses and Gratifications Theory? Definition and Examples. Retrieved from ThoughtCo.: https://www.thoughtco.com/uses-and-gratifications-theory-4628333

Wandia, T. (2018, May 7). In the Aftermath of Iwafikie Wazazi.Social Media, Safety and Consent. Retrieved from General Blog Posts: https://tnwandia.com/2018/05/07/in-the-aftermath-of-ifikie-wazazi-social-media-safety-and-consent/

Wanjiru, K.-K. L. (2010). A Study on the Uses and Gratification of Facebook among the Youth in Kenya. Retrieved from University of Nairobi: erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/1129/3829
Published
2022-11-14
How to Cite
Amgechi, L., Oseko, A., & Muyaka, J. (2022, November 14). Influence of Social Media Use on the Self-Concept and Social Behaviour of Adolescents in Secondary Schools in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. African Journal of Education,Science and Technology, 7(2), Pg 202-214. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.2022/ajest.v7i2.818
Section
Articles