Social Networks

Social Studies School-Based Assessment 2015

Syed Ameed
Candidate Number: 0900990260

Teacher: Shaneezah Yacoub

School: ISA Islamic School

Centre Number: 090099

Subject: Social Studies

Territory: Guyana

CXC CSEC 2015

1
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction 3
Acknowledgement 4
Statement of Problem 5
Reason for Selecting the Area of Research 6
Method of Investigation 7
Data Collection Instrument 8
Cover Letter 8
Questionnaire 9

Procedure for Data Collection 11

Presentation of Data 12
Analysis and Interpretation of Data 17
Statement of Findings 19
Recommendations 20
Implementations 20
Conclusion 21
Bibliography 21
Appendix 22

2
 INTRODUCTION

Social Network, according to Oxford Dictionary of English, is a network of social

interactions and personal relationships. Social Networking is a concept developed in 1995,
which allowed information communication using an electronic network (such as the
internet). It started off as a helpful system for mainly businesses but later got uncontrollable
use by general consumers.

Today, social networks (sites and apps) have over 3,825,000,000 active users and are
continuously growing. From a general world perspective however, the users have adopted a
lot of bad trends, especially the teens, whose, moral, ethical, cultural, educational and
religious values are being destroyed.

Psychologically, teens have a tendency of naturally accepting enjoyable yet long-

lasting potential regrets. Thus, it is logically better to generally control the teens from
reaching that stage. These trends, as depicted by the researcher must come to an end.
Hence, the researcher has conducted a survey, analysed and interpreted the data obtained
and looked for possible solutions to help decrease the new intimate relationship formed
between teens and social networks.

3
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

In completing this School-Based Assessment (SBA), the researcher would humbly like
to acknowledge all those who were a part of this contribution. First and foremost, the
researcher would like to praise and thank his Lord, Allah the almighty, for granting him
success in completion of this project.

The researcher would like to significantly acknowledge the contributions made by

the Social Studies teacher, Miss Shaneezah Yacoub, towards this project. The researcher
would also like to thank the respondents of the survey (Brickdam residents) for their honest
and polite responses towards this research.

It is an honour to the researcher for acknowledging the school in general, for all the
good support they have given him. Equally appreciating are the contributions of the
researcher’s parents, siblings, friends, classmates and all those who gave encouragement,
motivation, inspiration, tips and support in the process of completing this project. It was
indeed a great pleasure to the researcher in accepting the contributions of all for making
this project somewhat helpful and informative in many ways.

4
 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF USING SOCIAL NETWORKING ON TEENS IN
BRICKDAM, GEORGETOWN, GUYANA?

5
 REASON FOR SELECTING THE AREA OF RESEARCH

The researcher has been living in Brickdam for the past seven years and noticed that
the teens around the area are spending extravagant time (over-usage) on Social Networks in
the Internet. It was observed that teens see no control over potential life-long regrets such
as sharing nude/‘semi-nude’ pictures (publicly or privately); surrendering to (moral or
religious) illegal relationships (with same or opposite sex); unnecessarily overspending time
in social networking; and, many other regretful aspects of their lives. This also affects the
teens in many other ways, such as, the affection of teens in physical (health) and mental
(psychological) ways. Thus, these kinds of activities are affecting the teens’ religious,
academic, moral and educational values, hence, the productivity and creativity of the ‘new
generation’ is affected. This eventually hinders the process of progressive development.

As a result, the researcher has chosen to investigate the causes, effects and solutions
to this (social network) potential threat to the teens in the Brickdam area.

6
 METHOD OF INVESTIGATION

The researcher conducted the research by surveying the mass (mainly adults, parents
and/or elders) of the Brickdam area using questionnaires. Advantages of questionnaire
include:

 It is cost effective yet easy to print and distribute;

 It can be distributed and collected after, in a fixed date, so the individuals can answer
the questions;
 They can be objectively analysed.

7
 DATA COLLECTION INSTRUMENT

The 25 questionnaires distributed contained 22 questions in which mostly required a

tick or a short answer.

COVER LETTER

42 B United Nations Place

Brickdam
Georgetown, Guyana
10th July 2014

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am currently pursuing my Secondary Education at ISA Islamic School and am

required to conduct a research for the School Based Assessment (SBA) component of my
Social Studies Syllabus. As such, I have chosen to investigate the causes and effects of Social
Networking on teens in Brickdam.

With this intention, I am seeking your participation in the completion of the attached
questionnaire. Please remember that this is not a test so there are no right or wrong
answers. I assure you that your responses will be confidential given the fact that you are not
required to write your name on the questionnaire.

I am looking forward for your cooperation.

Yours Faithfully,

............................................

Syed Ameed

Researcher

8
 QUESTIONNAIRE
1. Please select your Gender: 8. Which of the following factor(s) lead
Male Female teens to the use of social networks?
Popularity
2. Please select your Age Group: Teacher/s’ or parent/s’ encouragement
19 to 21 Years 22 to 24 Years Friend/s’ usage or encouragement
25 to 27 Years Over 27 years Other: ____________________________

3. Please state your occupation:
____________________________________
4. What do you think is Social Networks?
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
9. Are you affiliated with any social
networks?
Yes No
If yes, why do you use them?
___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________

5. Have you seen an increase in the use of 10. How often do you think teens are using
Social Networking Sites and Apps by social networks?
teens? Always Daily
Yes No Weekly Monthly
If yes, why do you think so?
Rarely
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________ 11. How much time do you think teens
spend on social networks?
6. According to your approximate 3-5 hours 6-8 hours
estimation, how many teens do you 9-11 hours Beyond 11 hours
think are associated with social
networks?
12. What kind of impact do you think social
10-20 teens 21-40 teens networks have on teens currently?
41-60 teens Over 60 teens Positive Negative
Please state how: ____________________
7. How easy do you think it is to sign up
___________________________________
and use a social network account?
___________________________________
Very easy Easy
Intermediate Difficult 13. Do you think the use of Social Networks
Very difficult by teens is beneficial in any way(s)?
Yes No

9
If yes, state in what way:
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
14. In what way do you think Social
Networking is affecting the teens?
Psychological/Mental disorder
Physical defections
Overconsumption of time
No affection at all
Other: ____________________________
15. Which of the following value(s) do you
think social networks are affecting the
teens?
Moral Ethical
Cultural Religious
Educational None
Please justify your above answer:
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
16. Have you witnessed teens doing (moral
or religious) illegal activities (such as,
sharing nude/‘semi-nude’ pictures, etc.)
in social networks?
Yes No
17. Do you think that social networks are
affecting teens’ education?
Yes No
If Yes, how?
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
18. Have you seen a decrease in the
productivity and/or creativity of the
teens that are associated with Social
networks?
Yes No
If yes, why do you think that is so?
___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________
19. Do you think most teenagers use social
networks with their parental consent?
Yes No
20. Do you think that parents/guardians are
happy/have no complaints when their
children use social networks?
Yes No
21. If you think Social networks are
problematic among teens, what
solution(s) do you want to suggest
reducing it?
Limit usage of Social networks
Band usage of Social networks
Do not allow them to buy devices at all
Apply Parental control
Manually monitor them
Other: ____________________________
22. In a scale of 1 to 5, how effective do you
think is your solution?
1 2 3 4 5
10
 PROCEDURE FOR DATA COLLECTION

There are approximately twenty (20) households in the block stretching from United
Nations Place to Camp Street. Twenty-five (25) questionnaires were distributed to random
adults in the area, with polite introduction as to what they should do. The age group of the
individuals was mainly 19 to 27. The questionnaires were collected after three (3) days from
distribution.

11
 PRESENTATION OF DATA

Twenty-one (21) of twenty-five (25) questionnaires were retained because, some of

the individuals were not present at their houses at the time of collection and some did not
complete the questionnaire at all. Of these respondents:

 There were more females (57%) than males (43%).

 There were more aged respondents (38% of 25-27 years) than younger respondents
(23.8% of over 27 years, 23.8% of 22-24 years and, 14.2% of 19-21 years).

BAR GRAPH SHOWING THE RESPONDENTS BELIEF ON THE INCREASE OF THE USE
OF SOCIAL NETWORKS

Yes No

Have you seen an

increase in the use
of Social Networking Sites
and Apps by teens?

0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

The graph above shows the number of individuals, which admitted (95%) and denied
(5%) the increase of the use of social networks by teens.

12
 LINE GRAPH SHOWING THE DIFFERENT AFFECTIONS RESULTING FROM THE USE
OF SOCIAL NETWORKS AMONG TEENS

38% Affection of Teens

30%

23%

15%

8%

0%
Psychological/Mental Physical Defections Overconsumption
Disorder and of Time
Physical Defections

The graph above illustrates that 14% agreed that psychological/mental disorder and
physical defections are the factors affecting the teens due to social networks; 14% voted for
psychological/mental disorder and overconsumption of time; 14% believed in physical
defections alone; 28% voted for physical defections and overconsumption of time; and, 28%
considered overconsumption of time alone.

13
 PIE-CHART SHOWING THE VALUES OF TEENS AFFECTED BY THE USE OF SOCIAL
NETWORKS

Moral, Ethical, Ethical and None

Cultural and Educational Cultural

5%
10%

86%

The graph above shows that a massive 86% of the respondents believed moral,
ethical, cultural and educational values of teens are affected; 10% believed in only ethical and
cultural values; and, 5% believed that none of the values were affected.

14
BAR GRAPH SHOWING THE RESPONDENTS WHO BELIEVED TEENS’ EDUCATION IS
AFFECTED

Yes No

Do you think that

Social Networks are
affecting teens
education?

0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

The graph above shows a significant 95% of the respondents admitting that teens’
education is affected due to social networks; however, 5% disagreed.

15
 LINE GRAPH SHOWING THE SOLUTION(S) THE RESPONDENTS SUGGESTED

40% Solutions

30%

20%

10%

0%
Limit/Band usage Limit usage and Do not allow Apply Parental Encouragment to
of Social Networks Manually monitor them to purchase Control better usage
them devices at all

The graph above shows a massive 53% voted to apply parental control on the devices;
14% voted to encourage the teens for better use; 24% believed in limit/band usage of social
networks; 5% admitted to limit usage and manually monitor the teens; and, 14% believed to
not allow teens to purchase these devices at all.

16
 ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA

Majority of the respondents defined social networks as, a method of electronic

communication, however, some specified different reasons. From the survey conducted, it
can easily be determined that there is a huge increase of the use social networks among
teens. Most of the respondents essentially believed that this increase is because the teens
are more fascinated with modern technology and mostly like to show off to other teens. On
the other hand, 85.7% of the respondents admit that approximately over 60 teens are using
social networks around the area and it is relatively easy to set up and use a social network
account, which means ‘show off’ is not necessarily the reason teens are using social
networks. Many respondents believe that popularity of the social network is a factor that
leads to the teens’ use of the social networks, whilst others believed that external
encouragement (example: teachers, parents, friends, etc.) are the influences for the teens
using social networks.

Preponderant respondents believed that social networks currently have a negative

impact on teens and that teens always or daily use social networks spending at least 6 hours
in each session of use, which means that social networks are major distractions for teens
and that the effects of social networks on teens may increase daily. 95% of the respondents
believed that there are many ways in which social networks are affecting the teens, either
psychologically/mentally, physically and/or overconsumption of time. Furthermore, same
percentage of the respondents believed that values such as moral, ethical, cultural, religious
and also educational are being significantly affected due to the teens’ misuse of social
networks. Majority also admitted that teens are doing religious and/or moral illegal activities
in social networks which include: sharing nude/‘semi-nude’ pictures among peers and
sometimes publicly; spending extravagant time in the overuse of social networks.

Although 95% of the respondents believe that social networks are helpful and
beneficial in many ways, the teens’ still need a transition from the overuse/use of teens from
the negative use to a more beneficial one. As defined by the respondents, some of the
useful reasons include to: share and use useful resources between peers; announce
homework and assignments; and, help each other in situations.

As a result of all the social networks issues, teens’ education, hence

productivity/creativity is directly attacked. Many respondents elaborated that the attention
to education is lost since attention to social networks is geared. Even furthermore, 81% of
the respondents believed that the teens do not use the social networks with parental
consent and the same respondents think that parents/guardians are not happy/have
complaints when the teens are using social networks.

17
This means that either there is little or no apparent serious approach taken by the
parents/guardians or that parents/guardians are probably not aware of how to tackle the
situation.

However, all of the respondents gave very effective responses for the solutions such
as, parental control; limiting the usage and/or manually monitoring the teens; and/or,
encouraging the teens to use the social networks in better ways. The respondents were
pretty confident about their responses and gave very high effectivity (average scale of 1 to 5:
4.5) to their solutions.

18
 STATEMENT OF FINDINGS

From the data analysed, it can be determined that:

1. The adults (parents/guardians) of the area are aware of the wrong direction the teens
are heading.
2. The use of social networks has significantly increased and the teens are not using these
networks appropriately.
3. Factors such as popularity and external encouragement have a lot of effects on social
networks.
4. Values such as moral, ethical, cultural and religious are affected due to the improper use
of social networks.
5. Social Networks can be used in many beneficial ways but it is currently not done so.

19
 RECOMMENDATIONS

Based on the findings, as per the respondents, it can be recommended that applying
parental control on the devices will definitely help the teens in their pattern of life. Limiting
the usage and/or encouraging the teens to use the social networks appropriately may
significantly help as well.

IMPLEMENTATIONS

Parental Control software (such as, ‘Qustodio’) can be installed on devices and
monitored easily by parents. This may require the teens to surrender the devices at the time
of installation and, may also require the parents (who are computer illiterate) to contact IT
technicians to install and learn how to monitor the use of these devices.

20
 CONCLUSION

From the research conducted, it can be concluded that social networks is a very
prominent yet detrimental issue amongst teens in the Brickdam area and it so due to the
increasing number of teen users using these networks inappropriately. It can also be
concluded that the solutions may help in the society’s betterment in terms of the
productivity/creativity of the ‘new generation’.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Ramsawak, Rampersad & Umraw, Ralph R. Modules in Social Studies (with SBA guide and CXC
Questions). 4th Edition. San Fernando: Caribbean Educational Publishers, 2002

21
APPENDIX
 42 B United Nations Place
Brickdam
Georgetown, Guyana
10th July 2014

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am currently pursuing my Secondary Education at ISA Islamic School and am

required to conduct a research for the School Based Assessment (SBA) component of my
Social Studies Syllabus. As such, I have chosen to investigate the causes and effects of Social
Networking on teens in Brickdam.

With this intention, I am seeking your participation in the completion of the attached
questionnaire. Please remember that this is not a test so there are no right or wrong
answers. I assure you that your responses will be confidential given the fact that you are not
required to write your name on the questionnaire.

I am looking forward for your cooperation.

Yours Faithfully,

............................................

Syed Ameed

Researcher
1. Please select your Gender: 8. Which of the following factor(s) lead
Male Female teens to the use of social networks?
Popularity
2. Please select your Age Group: Teacher/s’ or parent/s’ encouragement
19 to 21 Years 22 to 24 Years Friend/s’ usage or encouragement
25 to 27 Years Over 27 years Other: ____________________________

3. Please state your occupation: 9. Are you affiliated with any social
____________________________________ networks?
Yes No
4. What do you think is Social Networks?
____________________________________ If yes, why do you use them?
____________________________________ ___________________________________
____________________________________ ___________________________________
___________________________________
5. Have you seen an increase in the use of
Social Networking Sites and Apps by 10. How often do you think teens are using
teens? social networks?
Yes No Always Daily
If yes, why do you think so?
Weekly Monthly
____________________________________
____________________________________ Rarely
____________________________________
11. How much time do you think teens
6. According to your approximate spend on social networks?
estimation, how many teens do you 3-5 hours 6-8 hours
think are associated with social 9-11 hours Beyond 11 hours
networks?
10-20 teens 21-40 teens
12. What kind of impact do you think social
41-60 teens Over 60 teens networks have on teens currently?
Positive Negative
7. How easy do you think it is to sign up
and use a social network account?
Very easy Easy Please state how: ____________________
___________________________________
Intermediate Difficult
___________________________________
Very difficult
13. Do you think the use of Social Networks
by teens is beneficial in any way(s)?
Yes No
If Yes, state in what way:
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
14. In what way do you think Social
Networking is affecting the teens?
Psychological/Mental disorder
Physical defections
Overconsumption of time
No affection at all
Other: ____________________________
15. Which of the following value(s) do you
think social networks are affecting the
teens?
Moral Ethical
Cultural Religious
Educational None
Please justify your above answer:
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
16. Have you witnessed teens doing (moral
or religious) illegal activities (such as,
sharing nude/‘semi-nude’ pictures, etc.)
in social networks?
Yes No
17. Do you think that social networks are
affecting teens’ education?
Yes No
If Yes, how?
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
18. Have you seen a decrease in the
productivity and/or creativity of the
teens that are associated with Social
networks?
Yes No
If yes, why do you think that is so?
___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________
19. Do you think most teenagers use social
networks with their parental consent?
Yes No
20. Do you think that parents/guardians are
happy/have no complaints when their
children use social networks?
Yes No
21. If you think Social networks are
problematic among teens, what
solution(s) do you want to suggest
reducing it?
Limit usage of Social networks
Band usage of Social networks
Do not allow them to buy devices at all
Apply Parental control
Manually monitor them
Other: ____________________________
22. In a scale of 1 to 5, how effective do you
think is your solution?
1 2 3 4 5