Exploring The Effects of Social Media Influencers On Grade 11 ICT Students of New Era University Integrated School PR1 - GROUP3 RESEARCH
Exploring The Effects of Social Media Influencers On Grade 11 ICT Students of New Era University Integrated School PR1 - GROUP3 RESEARCH
Exploring The Effects of Social Media Influencers On Grade 11 ICT Students of New Era University Integrated School PR1 - GROUP3 RESEARCH
Ferdinand R. Jacoben
Keanno Gallano
Gwyneth Aranas
Lorrica Motilla
Abstract
Within our present youth, social media online has become a major factor of a student’s
life. The said platform then helps the students shape their characters, pertaining to their thinking,
behavior, and values. The effects of Social Media Influencers may vary on the student's intake on
their influence and vice versa. Hence this research study aims to find out which weighs more
between positive and negative impacts. Through conducting a one-to-one interview on 11 ICT
students of New Era University Integrated School, the researchers have gathered the information
valuable to the research study. The analysis showed that most students follow a Social Media
Influencer based on shared interests, and the influence they hold would vary. After analyzing,
academically inclined students tend to follow influencers of the same influence and watching
those influencers help boost their productivity and provide them ideas that help them. To
conclude, the impact of these Social Media Influencers entirely depends on the mindset of the
students. Therefore, encouraging a more positive academic environment may be of help in any
Table of Contents
Title Page
Title Page………………………………………………………………………...………………..1
Abstract………………………………………………………………………………..…….…….2
Table of Contents………………………………………………………………………………….3
Chapter 1
Definition of Terms…………………………………………………………………………..……8
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Research Design……………………………………………………………………….…………13
Methodology……………………………………………………………………………………..13
Chapter 4
Result Discussion…………………………….………………….……………………….………16
Chapter 5
References……………………………….………………….……………………………………34
Appendices……………….………………….…………………………………………………...35
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Chapter 1
Within our present youth, social media online has become a major factor of a student’s life.
The said platform then helps the students shape their characters, pertaining to their thinking,
behavior, and values. Through online social media platforms, the youth are encouraged to
communicate with random people, forming bonds and friendship along the way. Within the three
years of having only technology supporting socializing, it enabled the youth to be somehow
digitally dependent and even led to psychological disorders (Yinal, 2023). It has also given rise
to a new phenomenon: social media influencers. Influencers are individuals who have amassed a
large following on social media platforms and are able to influence their followers’ opinions and
behaviors. While influencers can have a positive impact, there is growing concern about their
effect on our young minds. Hence, with consideration of the current scenario of this study,
conducting research on this specific issue may help us and our fellow students to enhance our
As of todays’ date, despite the subject being recognized, there still remains the gaps in
knowledge that lies on the study to be researched. Thus, we will do our utmost best to analyze
our findings and help close the gaps in knowledge regarding the subject and advocate a positive
environment for all. Albeit having research studies that may have provided the means to find
focuses, we have decided to conduct this academic work in order to learn further ways to resolve
the issue and hence, gain enhancement procedures to propose within our own scope. As social
media influencers have a wide range, we plan to help be products of the ‘positive side’ that
provides positive influence with our fellow students here in the New Era University Integrated
School.
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By recognizing the impacts of the issue and subject it directs, we are concerned that the
impact of social media influencers to us, students may be crucial. Having this research study
conducted, we plan to execute our work as we see Social Media Influencers pose as great factors
to a student’s well being, affecting their behavior and their lifestyle, even. By the means of
recognizing the positive and negative impact of the area of study that we chose, either outcome
shall be significant for our subject respondents, which will help us determine areas to enhance or
resolve. Whilst, also considering the sociological well being of the students, their privacy, and to
respect their needs, we will conduct this study with the knowledge and goal of enhancement of
By the means of practical reasoning, with acknowledgement of the outcomes this dilemma
may present, and to whom it may cause impact on, we recognize that as students ourselves, this
might also be of help to us. Additionally, this may be also of concern to our dear faculty and
parents as they are one of the important factors that greatly influences a student. Hence, the said
problem affects us greatly as we deal with the mental state of the students.
Therefore, we have recognized that this research study may be relevant and that it is in
need of thorough analysis and observation. We have decided to assess the given issue in order to
help prevent such from happening and to propose a positive outcome. To be able to create
benefits and fill the knowledge gaps with regards to this study, we have decided to conduct this
research study.
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General Problem
The effects of Social Media Influencers may vary on the student's intake on their influence and
vice versa. Hence this research study aims to find out which weighs more between positive and
negative impacts. This research study then sets to resolve the following questions:
Research Questions
3. What are the benefits and drawbacks of following a Social Media Influencer?
Objectives
4. To help provide a positive environment for the students and help improve their positive
well-being.
This study aimed to provide valuable information about the effects of social media
influencers on Grade 11 ABM students at New Era University Integrated School. Regardless of
the findings derived from the objectives of this study, they could be beneficial for the following:
For the students, this study will provide valuable insight and understanding about the
and overall well-being. This study will also help them make more informed decisions about their
online activities and raise awareness about their own behaviors and consumption habits.
For parents, by understanding how social media influencers may affect their children's
academic and personal lives, parents can provide proper guidance and advice tailored to their
child's online activities. Additionally, this study will help them understand the significance of
parental involvement in guiding and supporting their children so they can navigate social media
For the teachers, this research provides valuable insights for them to understand the
impact of social media influencers on their students' learning and behavior. Moreover, the result
will serve as their guide to developing teaching strategies that can help students critically
For future researchers, the findings of this study may serve as reference material and a
guide and can be cited as related literature for those who will conduct the same approach to the
study. It can inspire them to further investigate the other aspects of social media influencers and
For the school administrators, they can use the findings to implement policies and
programs that promote responsible social media usage among students. They can also collaborate
with teachers and parents to create a supportive environment that reduces the negative effects of
social media while improving its potential benefits for student learning and development.
For social media influencers, understanding how their content affects students can
help them take proper actions about the type of content they create and the messages they
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convey. They can use the knowledge they will gain from this research to promote positive values
and behaviors that align with the educational and personal development goals of students.
Out of 69 students of 11 ICT of New Era University Integrated School, 6 students were used
as a sample in conducting interviews for this qualitative research study. This study focused
primarily on Grade 11 ICT students at New Era University Integrated School, which limits the
findings' generalizability to this specific group. As an addition, we will also interview 5 Social
This study seeks to investigate many aspects of social media usage, such as frequency,
platforms used, and types of interactions participated in. Furthermore, the study will observe
with proper etiquette as to not violate the subject interviewees and regard them with high respect.
Definition of Terms
This section aims to ensure that readers have a common understanding of the terminology
employed in the research, eliminating confusion and promoting clarity. To ensure a clear
comprehension and understanding of the study, significant terms were operationally defined.
Social Media- Social media are interactive tools that enable the creation, sharing, and
aggregation of material, ideas, interests, and other kinds of expression via online communities
and networks. Social media refers to new types of media that encourage interactive engagement.
Social Media Influencer- Is a person who is considered as an expert in their specific profession
and has a loyal following. People trust their thoughts, thus their recommendations carry a lot of
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weight. There is a rising interest in experts with significant social impact and presence on social
media.
Psychological Disorders- Also known as mental illnesses or mental health disorders. They can
influence your thoughts, emotions, and behavior, which can have an impact on your social life
and daily functioning. These problems might be transitory or permanent. Psychological disorders
Mental Wellbeing- An individual's capacity to attain their full potential, work successfully and
creatively, form strong and meaningful connections with others, and contribute to their
community.
Mental State- A mental state in which the characteristics of a state remain generally constant,
although the state itself may be dynamic. It can also refer to a person's mental condition. Mental
states are a broad category that includes perception, pain/pleasure sensation, belief, desire,
Chapter 2
This chapter presents the related literature that is relevant to the study. Researchers
behavior" (Lajnef K, 2023), social media is a great tool for making new friends, and getting
important support and confirmation. Because social media platforms are made to be addictive as
well, a lot of young people spend hours consuming through their feeds, feeling unfit and
comparing themselves to others, which can lead to harmful comparisons and expose young
people to other content featuring influencers. 95% of teenagers aged between 13 and 17 own a
cellphone, and 107 studies were found by pointing out the effects of SMI(Social Media
The questionnaire is one of the appropriate methods used to construct a collective cognitive map
and this study uses face-to-face interviews because it is the most flexible method for data
collection. Although the content that influencers promote is not necessarily pleasant or healthy,
influencers may encourage students or even minors to behave in a more voluntary or healthy
manner. In addition, they encourage their followers to purchase goods that they may not actually
need or cannot afford, thus promoting materialism and consumerism. Influencers not only
encourage bad habits but can also harm the emotional health of young people. Young individuals
may believe that they are falling short of their peers or the perfect image of themselves that they
see online due to influencers' carefully chosen and edited information, which may change their
sense of reality. Studies indicate that although individuals must be aware of the possible risks,
they must also acknowledge that influencers can serve as useful sources of motivation and
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excellent examples to follow. By promoting media literacy and critical thinking, young people or
even ourselves can help the world of social media in a healthy and productive way.
positive and negative effects of social media influencers on adolescents", In a study that was
published in Social Science & Medicine, researchers evaluate earlier studies on the effects of
social media influencers (SMIs) on the health of teenagers. Fifty-one studies were found that
discussed the effects of SMIs on nutrition, mental health, sexual health, physical activity, and
substance use in teenagers between the ages of 13 and 19. Eleven internet databases,including
PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus, provided the publications for the collection. The article
states that Social Media Influencers (SMIs) have both good and bad effects on teenagers. SMIs
can encourage teenagers to have unrealistic body image and unhealthy lifestyles such as the
harmful use of alcohol and tobacco, leading to health problems. On the other hand, some SMIs
promote a positive environment on the internet, such as raising awareness to anti-tobacco content
Several more studies have investigated the positive and negative aspects of social media and
its impact on society, families, and children. According to Richards et al. (2020), “Social media
has a great impact on mental health related to the self-esteem and well-being of children and
young people”. Exposure to influencer postings on social media platforms can cause negative
social comparisons and emotions of envy, lowering the followers' self-esteem. Furthermore,
following more social media influencers was found to be connected with lower self-esteem
levels. Excessive and unhealthy usage of social media can lead to dissatisfaction with oneself
and one's life, raising the likelihood of negative self-talk and image. The researchers approach is
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categorized as qualitative as the author’s used surveys. They used both online and offline surveys
In the study, “Young adults’ sought gratifications from, and perceptions of food advertising
by, social media influencers: a qualitative approach”, the interaction of young adults with social
media influencers when it comes to food advertisements. The researchers found that the young
adults seek satisfaction such as gaining knowledge, improving themselves, and feeling positive
vibes from these influencers. They also looked into how the respondents understand food
advertisements and some of the themes were repetition, authenticity, and the non-healthy stuff.
To gather the data and information, the researchers in this study conducted in-depth,
Chapter 3
Research Design
To collect and analyze data significant to this research study, interviews and observations are
to be used in presenting the qualitative methodology approach in areas including the study's
location, research design, sampling and sample size, types of data, data collection method, and
data management.
This case study used a phenomenological approach that will investigate and observe
experiences from individuals, specifically, 11 ICT students. Through providing inquiries, we can
gather empirical data which will provide answers. Conducting interviews will provide the
perceptions of each individual in a specific phenomenon. We will use this in our study in order to
investigate the experiences of students. As we look into how the grade 11 ICT students of New
Era University Integrated School visualize social media influencers, we can examine the effects
of the issue.
The researchers of this study intend to focus on 11 ICT students of the Integrated School
of New Era University as subjects. Out of 69 students of the specified strand—Information and
Communication Technology, that is divided into two sections, 6 respondents overall are to be
expected. To gather subjects, the researchers are to select at random, 3 interviewees each section.
Furthermore, to gain better insight of the said study, the researchers will also conduct an
Source of Data
To obtain the needed pertinent data for this study, the researcher will use interviews and
interview research tools. Through interviews, the researchers will do the process of asking
questions on students to obtain information about their perspectives, experiences, and expertise
about the effect social media influencers have on them. Through information gathering, the
researcher may look into how students are influenced by influencers in social media. In order to
conduct a more impartial and objective interview, the unstructured interview will also be used as
two distinct formats for interviews the researcher is to be used: focus groups and one-on-one
interviews. To learn more about student's viewpoints, experiences, and behaviors influenced by
social media influencers, start by conducting one-on-one interviews. Secondly, arrange focus
group interviews with students to facilitate discussions, and idea exchanges regarding the
societal impacts of influencers. By employing both focus groups and one-on-one interviews, it
can be used to gain a greater understanding of how social media influencers influenced students.
To arrive at the desired results of the study, the responses to the interviews were carefully
organized.
To gather information, significant for this research study, researchers are to perform the
following procedure; First, the researchers are to observe and identify the gaps needed to be
fulfilled in the specified area of knowledge. Second, when identified, the questionnaire set to
gather information is to be presented to the subjects required. Finally, after setting out a formal
questionnaire, an interview on the focused group should be conducted. Henceforth, after the said
Data Analysis
The qualitative data analysis performed involves analyzing data collected from qualitative
qualitative, categorizing and coding the data and information collected are found to be most
appropriate. As qualitative responses may vary, categorizing and identifying each response into
classifications such as positive and negative response should be done. Afterwards, identifying the
Chapter 4
Result Discussion
This chapter will provide an analysis of the themes through categorizing information
collected by the interview done with the respondents. The identified themes are; influence,
influencers do"
Respondent #2:
“Social media
influencers affect a
a student's feed or
all about. So if a
about or follows
social media
focused on studies,
from those
influencers. It
depends on the
students follows”
Respondent #3:
“Well as a student,
influencers influence
do”
Respondent #4:
“Yung mga
generation po natin
po tayong may
cellphone di na po
ng walang gamit na
media nakakapag
So nakikita nila na
ansaya nila”
way nila ng
pag-spread ng word
or awareness through
internet pag
nakaka-inspire sila
and nakaka-motivate
especially mga
kabataan ngayon na
so like yung
nakaka-inspire sila
and actions”
Respondent #6:
student nagagamit ko
yung influence ng
social media
influencers, like
kumuha ng ideas
kung paano ko
magagamit sa
paglalaro ko ng
badminton”
them”
influence other
people themselves
follow the
influencers, I follow
influencers that
promotes self
improvement and
growth and my
hobbies as a way to
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relax”
Respondent #3:
“Well in my opinion,
what makes an
influencer an
influencer is when
believing on what
plays games”
think matatawag
silang influencer if
nagpopost sila ng
viewers sa social
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media is masaya to
ganon, I think po
pinapanood kong
mga influencers ay
characteristics po as
rin po sa music or
influencers po na
nagpapakita rin ng
pagjajamming, sa
pagayos ng mga
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notes, sa notebook,
po talaga”
nakaka-inspire sila
and nakaka-motivate
especially mga
kabataan ngayon na
so like yung
nakaka-inspire sila
ko talaga ay sa
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panonood ng mga
influencers is
TikTok”
Respondent #6:
“Masasabi mong
influencer isang
nakakasama sa isang
nasasabi nila is
nakakainfluence
sa’kin masyado is
yung mga
nagcocontent ng
about sa badminton
3. What are the benefits and drawbacks of being a Social Media Influencer/following
in a negative way in
following a Social
Media Influencer
more information
Respondent #2:
“The benefits of
social media
acknowledge or
may become
dependent on it and
would be creating
content everyday so
consuming as a fan
on watching and
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following up on their
contents”
Respondent #4:
"Benefits po nito is if
yung influencer is
na content. Ang
drawbacks lang po
aalinlangan po kayo
parang
nanonormalize natin
like, paggawa ng
pagmumura ayun
magmura sa social
media”
Respondent #5: “I
improve ko sa sarili
ko lalo na sa mental
influencers na
nagmomotivate and
yung ma-iinspire ka
mga influencers na
nagbibigay ng tip
all”
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Respondent #6:
nakakakuha ng mga
nakakakuha ng mga
gawin sa paglalaro.
pati na rin sa
ibang influencers na
dumadaan sa
newsfeed na
nakakatulong sa’kin.
nakakaturo”
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Chapter 5
Summary
This part of the research study intends to summarize the interpretation of the data analysis
A Social Media Influencer may be labeled as an ‘influencer’ when they have the power to
influence someone by being their role models to look up to as an ideal, by admiring their
lifestyle, mindset, and behavior, they influence people especially youngsters with what they do
or say. Additionally, these ‘influencers’ also affect a student by spreading awareness through
certain topics to give informative value to their followers. However, it depends on the students
Out of the 6 respondents, 68% spend 4 hours of their time on social media, while the first 16%
spends 2 hours, and the other, 12 hours. As shown in the interview results, students would watch
or follow influencers based on their interests, meaning that the content that they see depends on
what they seek for. Nowadays that tik tok has been used by mass media, many students have
acknowledged and have been using the app, which also uses an algorithm that provides you with
contents that are based on your interests. By sharing similar interests, these influencers pique
more attention of students as they align with what these young adults want to see based on their
3. What are the benefits and drawbacks of being a Social Media Influencer/following a
As Social Media Influencers have a wide range of followers, information that they share may be
either positive or negative. By sharing updates, tips in studying, and helping their followers
improve their mental health, these Social Media Influencers help their followers grow. However,
some Social Media Influencers may teach and normalize wrongdoings and would just be time
Conclusion
As students nowadays engage more often with social media, following Social Media
Influencers and idolizing them and their lifestyle and behavior may have either positive or
negative effects on students. Through categorizing and coding the information that the
researchers gathered, we have concluded that the effect a Social Media Influencer holds depends
entirely on the student. By spreading awareness and improving a more positive environment for
the students through social media campaigns that may pique their interest, may benefit and help
Recommendation
Based on the concluded results and approach we may perform regarding the research study,
the researchers came up with elaborated recommendations that may be of help for our fellow
students.
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For the school, we propose that the school help with allowing the students to have a flexible
campaign through social media as the school has a bigger platform that would enormously help
For the teachers, our research group recommends that they guide the students into being more
For the parents, we suggest that they become more aware of what their children are up to and
guide them as they are the main factor that shapes a student.
For the students, we advise them to help themselves and listen to the guidance of the people
around them rather than Social Media Influencers so that they can grow and have a positive
environment at school.
For the society, we recommend for everyone to be more positive when using social media as
it is massively used worldwide. Think before clicking may be an old quote but it does matter, so
References
empirical study using cognitive map technique. Current Psychology, 42(22), 19364-19377.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-023-04273-1
Yinal, A., & Banje, F. U. (n.d.). Social media habits of university students and the effects of
News-Medical (2023, November 22). Navigating the influencer landscape: The positive and
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20231122/Navigating-the-influencer-landscape-The-positiv
e-and-negative-effects-of-social-media-influencers-on-adolescents.aspx
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10165405/
Alhothali, G. T., & Aljefree, N. M. (2023). Young adults’ sought gratifications from, and
perceptions of food advertising by, social media influencers: a qualitative approach. Journal of