Social Media Use, Self-esteem, and Online-risk Experiences among Senior High School Students in Dumingag, Philippines
Jennifee T. Entrampas
J.H. Cerilles State College, Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines.
Lizzie Mae P. Rendora
J.H. Cerilles State College, Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines.
Jumar B. Taoto-An *
Romblon State University, Odiongan, Romblon, Philippines.
Karen Abegail P. Cuizon
Romblon State University, Odiongan, Romblon, Philippines.
Xyrin Canillo Moñeza
Romblon State University, Odiongan, Romblon, Philippines.
Judith D. Agad
Romblon State University, Odiongan, Romblon, Philippines.
Rhea Mae J. Tabunyag
Romblon State University, Odiongan, Romblon, Philippines.
Jessrel Superales Fuentevilla
Romblon State University, Odiongan, Romblon, Philippines.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Adolescents’ social media use may be associated with various online risks, yet school-level evidence in provincial settings in the Philippines remains limited. This study examined social media use, self-esteem, and online-risk experiences among 258 Grade 11 and Grade 12 students at Dumingag Senior High School, Zamboanga del Sur. A cross-sectional descriptive-correlational design and proportional stratified sampling were used. Students completed a researcher-developed questionnaire on social media use, self-esteem, and online-risk experiences, including privacy disclosure, cyberbullying-related experiences, and exposure to inappropriate content. In a separate pilot sample of 25 students, the questionnaire had an overall Cronbach’s alpha of .86. Mean scores were 4.26 (SD = 0.37) for social media use, 3.95 (SD = 0.46) for self-esteem, and 3.62 (SD = 0.53) for online-risk experiences. Social media use showed a weak inverse association with the online-risk composite, r(256) = −.157, p = .012. The estimated indirect association through self-esteem was approximately −.074, but its statistical uncertainty was unavailable. The findings describe a small association in one school. The composite reflects several types of online behaviour and exposure, and the evidence leaves the role of self-esteem as a mediator unresolved.
Keywords: Cyberbullying, online-risk experiences, Philippines, self-esteem, senior high school students, social media use