Hooked by the WWW: A Study of Social Networking

Abstract

Aims: This study was conducted to determine the participants’ experiences and perceptions on the use of SNS. It also looked into how SNS use affects their jobs, personal activities, and studies. Study Design: This study used the qualitative method. Open-ended questions were constructed to gather participants’ experiences. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted among the Information Technology faculty and students University of Mindanao- Digos College. The study was conducted for one semester. Methodology: The open-ended questions were distributed among pre-selected participants online. The responses were analyed into themes; discussions were provided. Results: SNS use does not affect the jobs, tasks, personal activities, and studies of the participants. It is also revealed that SNS use provides happiness and satisfactions to the participants. The participants’ continuous connection with their family members, friends and relatives makes them closer because of SNS. Moreover, participants also build confidence when friends appreciate and affirm their status in the SNS. Further, SNS serves as someone’s blueprint or portfolio which shows his/her achievements. Finally, most participants are not bothered by the spending incurred in connecting the internet as long as they can communicate with their families, relatives, and friends in the SNS. Conclusion: Addiction to SNS is indirectly insignificant to the perception of the participants because it only provides happiness, develops self-confidence, and boosts reputation. Although they find the cost of connection to SNS not favorable, still they patronized it because it is the only way they can connect with the persons important to them.  Thus, someone’s values and orientations influence his/her use of SNS. Moreover, SNS addiction does not depend on someone’s profession.