International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) |Volume V, Issue VII, July 2021|ISSN 2454-6186

Adolescents' Social Networking and Self-Concept in

Public Mixed Day Secondary Schools in Kajiado
North Sub-County, Kenya
Kwara Rainer Abadali, Stephen Asatsa (PhD), & Maria Ntaragwe
Department of Psychology, the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Kenya

Abstract: Self-concept among adolescents is dynamic because of indication of how the person makes sense of herself/himself
the struggle to find true identity while maintaining social (Ackerman, 2019). Explaining this further, Ackerman (2019),
acceptability. Social media may be seen as a social laboratory states that self-concept is therefore learned not inherent
providing freedom to experiment with different presentations of depending on one‟s experiences throughout the development
self. The study examined the relationship between selected social
stages. It is influenced by biological and environmental
networking sites (WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram) and the
adolescents’ self-concept in public mixed day secondary schools factors, but social interaction plays a major role as well.
in Kajiado County, Kajiado North Sub-county Kenya. An Therefore, the quest to carry out this study. Self-concept
embedded mixed methods research design was employed to develops through childhood and early adulthood when it is
enable the researcher establish the relationship between the more easily changed or updated as we learn more about
selected Social Networking Sites and self-concept among ourselves.
adolescents. Simple random sampling was employed to the
selected 4 schools for this study. Probability sampling technique The western view of self-concept draws its
was used to select a sample of 265 respondents from the 4 inspiration from numerous self-theory authors such as Carl
selected secondary schools as sample size for the study. Data was Rodger, Abraham Maslow and John Turner just to mention a
collected using questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive few. Self-concept is viewed as a goal each individual strives
and inferential statistics. Findings indicated that Facebook was to achieve. The self is a quest from what an individual expects
the most preferred social media site among the adolescents. The to be seen as to what an individual considers themselves as.
self-concept level among the adolescents was at a moderate level John Turner in his theory on self-categorization presents how
indicating that the adolescents are aware of their self. The study
found a negative weak correlation between WhatsApp and self-
self-concept evolves over time. He categories self-concept
concept among adolescent; a negative weak correlation between into two; one which focuses on the personal identity and the
Facebook and self-concept among adolescents and a negative other social identity. In his research he provides that children
weak correlation between Instagram and self-concept among and adolescents integrate social identity into their self-concept
adolescents. Self-concept among the selected respondents was not in their earlier stages of education, they build their social
significantly affected by the selected social media applications. identity by gauging their presence among peers. This
The study recommends harnessing of social media platforms as a acceptance from their peers affects how they behave at home
socializing tool among adolescents since no significant correlation and also academically.
was found between social media and self-concept of adolescents
despite the existing ban of use of mobile phones among this Self-concept in an African view leans towards an
population in Kenya. individualistic orientation of self-extent among youth and
Key words: WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram; self-concept, social adolescents. However, among elderly individuals and women
networking self-concept is viewed as a collective and moralistic
orientation (Mpofu, 2010). In Kenya self-concept is viewed as
I. BACKGROUND the facts that shape an individual to be the best they can
deliver in any field and level of life. In adolescent‟s scenario,
S elf-concept has been defined as an overarching idea we
have about who we are; physically, emotionally, socially,
spiritually, and in terms of other aspects that make up who we
it is linked to their academic life. Factors such as natural
environment, teachers, peers and the hidden curriculum have
are (Neil, 2005). This includes our knowledge of how we an impact on adolescents‟ self-concept. They tend to either
behave, our individual characteristics and our capabilities. promote it if they are positive to an individual. The self-
Self-concept is an observable, describable, situation-specific concept of the adolescent can also be broken if the individual
and measurable phenomenon. Globally, self-concept is the develops negative attitudes or experiences challenges with the
perception that we have of ourselves, that answer to the present factors (Wanjuru, 2003). Hence there exists the need
question “who am I”? What makes me “me”? It involves to explore self-concept among adolescents in the wake of
knowing about the self; thoughts, preferences, skills, hobbies social media culture.
and one‟s area of weakness. The way one views the self is an

www.rsisinternational.org Page 841

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) |Volume V, Issue VII, July 2021|ISSN 2454-6186

Social media is a platform where users can interact This brings in the concept of social comparison among
with each other, build social networks and increase social adolescents in the social media which constitutes a rampant
capital with the support of available applications (Barnes, phenomenon where celebrities of similar age promote this
2008).Social media can be a gift or a curse depending on how mirage of a „perfect body‟ at the same age that one may not
it is used. Studies indicated an upsurge in the number of have at that time (Gallagher, 2017).
adolescents described as „extreme internet users‟ (Shetty,
A research on the satisfaction rates of adolescents
Rosario, & Hyder, 2015;Mussad, 2018). Technology and
girls after being exposed to ultra-thin models and average
social media have recently become an integral part of 21st
sized models came to the conclusion that viewing these
century adolescents‟ life, with over 71% reporting regularly
images negatively correlated with self-esteem and body
viewing more than one social media site.
satisfaction (Gallagher, 2017). It was also acknowledged that
There are 4.2 billion internet users globally; 3.9 women are more likely to use the social networking site in
billion are social media users (Global Digital Report, 2018). order to compare themselves to others and for looking for
The number of hours spent on the internet per day on the information on other people‟s profiles, whereas men are more
maximum is 9 hours 38 minutes to a minimum of 3 hours and likely to view other people‟s profiles in order to find friends.
50minutes. On average a user has 5 social media accounts. It was also found that women are more likely to use group
Globally the key social media platforms are Facebook (2.1 names and upload portrait photos of themselves as their self-
billion users), WhatsApp (1.3 billion users), Snap Chat (0.255 presentation whereas men are more likely to upload full body
billion users), YouTube (1 billion users), Instagram (0.800 images (Ruigrok, 2014).
billion users). In Kenya there are 12 million WhatsApp users,
The age of individuals comes into play in terms of
8 million you-tube users, 7 million Facebook users and 4
social media and body image. It was concluded that adult
million Instagram users (Soko Directory, 2018). Among the
women become distressed about body image, “so do very
2.1 billion Facebook users, 180 million users are adolescents
young children, who are less equipped to deal with the
ranging from the age of 13-18 years, Instagram adolescent
pressures put on them by the media, their peers, and society in
users are 61 million (Pew Research Center, 2018).
general (Granatino & Haytko, 2013; Gallagher, 2017). An
In this era of social media where adolescents engage adolescent‟s stage of life comprises of various aspects which
and exchange ideas with peers and new people they meet are wholly, physical and psychological changes. This
online, many aspects come into play. The concept of self- developmental stage in an individual is the determinant of
esteem and social media is seen among various authors where how an individual will view the world in their adult life. Many
conclusions are made that social media is a negative tool issues such as independence and self-identity arise and
when it comes to self-esteem among adolescents. Social different individuals will handle them differently. This is the
media promotes depression; in return the self-esteem of the stage where the development of one‟s self-concept really
adolescent is lost. This way, low self-concept clarity is seen to takes off. Adolescents at this stage are prone to greater self-
strongly associate with lower self-esteem (Gallagher, 2017). consciousness and susceptibility to the influence of their
Social media platforms have led to the generation of programs peers, in part due to the changes happening in the brain
where adolescents who are the main targets are pushed (Sebastian, Burnette, and Blakemore, 2008).
towards the extreme in order to be accepted in a certain group
In connection to one‟s self-concept and social media
in the quest of building their self-esteem. They are pushed to
with lack of a clear self-actualization on one‟s ideal self,
do activities that harm themselves at the point of even
adolescents may sway towards conforming to what the society
committing suicide in order to feel accepted or fit into a group
considers ideal. Body image brings into play other aspects
or even in their words become famous. Social media platform
such anorexia. Anorexia is an eating disorder characterized by
programs such as the „blue whale challenge‟ mostly run
an abnormally low body weight, an intense fear of gaining
through the WhatsApp platform targeted adolescents, with
weight and distorted perception of weight. The mental
simple challenges in the beginning which later ended up in
disorder is viewed as a combination of various psychological,
numerous deaths around the world. Countries such as
biological and environmental factors. These are challenges
Ukraine, India, United States and Russia have seen 130 cases
that adolescents globally face online and offline coupled up
where such suicides have been mentioned between November
with overexposure to media, such as magazine articles
2015 and April 2016 (BBC, 2019).
focusing on weight loss, degrading overweight characters on
Adolescent stage of life involves many body changes TV, underweight actresses, and overly muscular actors, are
to an individual both physical, cognitive, biological and not ideal for adolescents due to their heightened
psychological. The changes observed by adolescents and their impressionability. For example, it has been observed that a
peers are basically the physical changes. Each individual is third of female characters on sitcoms are below-average
unique and growth takes places at different paces. However, at weight. Also, most of these women receive more positive
this stage many adolescents are trying to understand comments about their appearance and are involved in more
themselves. With regards to their body image, if growth is not romantic relationships than heavier characters (Gallagher,
according to the pace of their peers then it is seen negatively. 2017; Mayo Clinic, 2019). Unfortunately, the side effects of

www.rsisinternational.org Page 842

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) |Volume V, Issue VII, July 2021|ISSN 2454-6186

this disorder are extreme and are associated with suicide. intended to provide more insights on the study‟s fourth
Again Gallagher (2017) showed that among high school objective.
students, disordered eating habits and extreme weight control
Sample Size and Sampling Procedures
methods are significantly related to suicide ideation. It is
essential for guardians and parents to supervise the online A sample is any group of subjects from which
activities of their children. information is obtained that is part of a selection of a target
population (Mugenda and Mugenda, 2012). They provide a
II. METHODS
technique to obtain a sample; through the selection of any
Research Design percentage between 10%-30% of the total population, the
attained value is considered adequate for research study.
The study set to identify the relationship between
selected networking sites and self-concept among secondary 𝑋∗𝑁
100= (n- sample size, N- population, X (10-30)
school adolescents in the Kajiado County. The study selected by researcher)
employed the use of embedded mixed methods research
design; according to Creswell (2011) this allows the 13 ∗ 30
100= 4 public mixed day secondary schools
researcher to employ both quantitative and qualitative
research designs in a single study. A single data set is not To select the four schools, probability sampling
sufficient to obtain results for the research questions thus the specifically simple random sampling was employed. This is to
qualitative aspect is brought forth (Kombo and Tromp, 2016). ensure that every school has the same probability of being
chosen. To determine the study sample of number of students,
The use of correlational research design was the researcher used Yamane (1973) sample size determination
employed to allow the researcher to identify relationships formula with the confidence level at 95%, and the margin of
between variables. The relationship among the variables may error at 5%.
be positive or negative. This allowed the researcher to identify
𝑁
whether the selected variables influence each other and at n= , Where n = the sample size
1+𝑁(𝑒)2
what extent. A bivariate correlation was used to determine the
relationship between self-concept and selected social media N = Target population (number of Secondary schools‟
networks (Kombo & Tromp, 2016). students)
Location of the Study e = Margin of error (in percentage) Student Sample size
781
The study intends targets Kajiado County (Appendix = 265
1+781 (0.05)2
1). The County is divided into three regions Kajiado North,
Kajiado South, Kajiado East, Kajiado West and Kajiado The total sample of the respondents is 265; where the
Central. The literacy level in the region is 55.4% with a 44.9% respondents were selected randomly by the researcher through
of children attending school who are in the age range of 15-18 the assistance of class teachers. The use of attendance lists
years (County Government of Kajiado, 2020). The region has was essential since they were used in identifying the
both public and private secondary schools. The county respondents. The students were involved in an exercise where
comprises of 121 secondary schools with 70 being public and they each picked a number and the researcher determine
51 private schools. The study focuses on Kajiado North Sub- which respondents get to take part in the questionnaire
county due to its proximity to the city‟s capital and its greater answering activity. The key respondents selected were from
population density and distribution compared to the other form 3 and form 4 classes. This is so because they are more
counties (Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, 2018). The experienced at this stage as compared to the form 1 and form
county is home to 16 public secondary schools where 13 are 2. The respondents also comprised of teachers on duty and
mixed and 3 are of singular gender (Ministry of Education school counselors; to ensure uniformity. A uniform frequency
Kajiado County, 2019) of one teacher and one counselor per school were used for the
study.
Target Population
Research Instruments
Adolescents‟ self-concept is an aspect felt by both
gender of individuals. The study proposes the use of both Data were collected using questionnaire that
gender respondents in-order to understand the impact of social comprised of self-developed sections assessing
media on these respondents. There are 16 public secondary sociodemographic characteristics of the respondents and their
schools in Kajiado North sub-county the selected target preferred social networking sites. Furthermore the
population of the study (Ministry of Education Kajiado questionnaire comprised of a standardized scale, the Robson‟s
County, 2019). Among the 16 schools, 13 schools are public self-concept questionnaire (Robson, 1989). This is a 30 item
and mixed with a total population of 4,658 adolescents. The 7 point Likert scale that measures self-concept in terms of
study obtained responses from the student‟s counselors and four domains, the body image, ideal self, role performance
teachers who are on duty. The teachers and counselors are and self-esteem. The scale reported high internal consistency

www.rsisinternational.org Page 843

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) |Volume V, Issue VII, July 2021|ISSN 2454-6186

of 0.82. Scoring of the scale was done by computing the Mean 1.2 and maximum response of 7, the variable presented a
of each of the three domains. A higher mean on each of the mean of M=4, drawing a conclusion that the respondents are
three domains indicated healthy self-concept while a lower aware of their body image. This finding is encouraging
mean indicated poor self-concept. considering negative impacts reported by authors on
adolescents who spend their time on social media sites.
III. RESULTS
Adolescents have been reported to be cyberbullied because of
Self-concept Levels among Adolescents in Kajiado County their image as well as experienced the effects on
Kenya cyberbullying on their fellow friends (Bearman, Presnell,
Martinez, & Stice, 2006).
The study sought to explore the phenomenon of self-concept
among adolescents in Kajiado County, Kenya. The section Respondents’ self-esteem
below presents the four components of self-concept and how
Self-esteem variable was examined among adolescents. The
the respondents‟ view self-concept in their daily lives.
responses provided were analyzed and a response was drawn
Respondents Ideal Self based on three response scales high, moderate and low.
Table 1: Ideal Self level of Respondents Table 3: Self-esteem level of Respondents
Ideal Self Scale Frequency percentage % Self-Esteem Scale Frequency percentage %
High Ideal Self 0-2 40 16 High Self-esteem 0-2 102 40
Medium Ideal self 3-4 178 70
Medium Self-esteem 3-4 99 39
Low Ideal self 5-7 32 13
Low Self-esteem 5-7 49 19
Total 255 100
Total 255 100
The self-concept variable ideal self was examined among
adolescents. The results are as follows; 70% (178) have a It was evident that 40% (102) of the adolescents have high
medium scale of their ideal self,16% (40) of the respondents‟ self-esteem, 39% (99) have moderate self-esteem and 19%
have a high ideal self and 13% had a low ideal self-scale. (49) have low self-esteem. With a minimum response of 0.75
With a minimum response of 0 and maximum response of 6.5, and maximum response of 6.75, the variable presented a mean
the variable presented a mean of M=3.94, drawing a of M=3.98, concluding that the respondents are aware of their
conclusion that the respondents are aware of their ideal self. self-esteem. This finding is similar to the results from
Adolescence is a stage in an individual‟s life where the quest Akintola, Bello and (2016) who present that WhatsApp
to know one‟s self is a day to day activity. The use of these by interactive features allow users to interact more in the long-
the respondent‟s platforms has presented that the adolescents run they are able to build their self-esteem in environments
are aware of their ideal self, Back et al (2010) presented that where interactions are warm.
the use of social media sites have made it easier for Respondents Role Performance
adolescents to present unreal versions of themselves to their
online followers. This practice enables them to develop a Role performance variable was examined among the
trend where they distort the truth about themselves online in respondents. The responses were analyzed based on three
the long-run destroying their personalities subconsciously. response scales high, moderate and low.

Respondents Body Image Table 4: Role Performance Level of Respondents

Role-Performance Scale Frequency percentage %
The self-concept variable body image was examined among
adolescents. This is one of the self-concept variables that can High role performance 0-2 40 16
be physically experienced and seen. Medium role-performance 3-4 148 58

Table 2: Body Image level of Respondents Low role performance 5-7 62 24

Body Image Scale Frequency percentage % Total 255 100

High Body image 0-2 45 18 The table present that 58 % (148) of the adolescents have
Medium Body moderate role-performance, 24 % (62) have low role
3-4 145 57
Image
performance and 16 % (40) have low role-performance. With
Low Body Image 5-7 60 24 a minimum response of 0.90 and maximum response of 6.20,
Total 255 100 the variable presented a mean of M=3.85, concluding that role
performance by the respondents is in existence.
Analysis presented that 57% (145) have a medium scale of
their body image.18% (45) of the respondents‟ have a high
body image. 24% (60) of the respondents had low body image
while 2% (5) did not respond. With a minimum response of

www.rsisinternational.org Page 844

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) |Volume V, Issue VII, July 2021|ISSN 2454-6186

Correlation between Social Media Use and Self-Concept Table 6: Regression Analysis

The study sought to determine the relationship between self- Model Summary
concept and social media applications which were Facebook, Mod
R
R Adjusted R Std. Error of the
Instagram and WhatsApp. Table 5 presents the correlations. el Square Square Estimate
1 .107a .011 -.001 .88691
Table 5: Self-concept and Social Media Correlation
a
ANOVA
Self-
Instagr WhatsA Facebo Sum of Mean
conce Model Df F Sig.
am pp ok Squares Square
pt
Regres
1 2.247 3 .749 .952 .416b
sion
N 250
1 Residu
Pearson 193.506 246 .787
al
Correlat -.077 1
Instagra ion Total 195.752 249
m Sig. (2- Coefficients
.223
tailed)
N 250 255 Model
Pearson Standar
Correlat -.024 .178** 1 Unstandardized dized
WhatsA ion Coefficients Coeffic
pp Sig. (2- T Sig.
.711 .004 ients
tailed) Std.
N 250 255 255 B Beta
Error
Pearson <.00
Correlat -.059 -.098 -.296** 1 (Intercept) 4.550 .376 12.111
0
Facebo ion
Instagram -.186 .150 -.080 -1.242 .216
ok Sig. (2- 1
.356 .118 .000
tailed) Facebook -.159 .137 -.077 -1.158 .248
N 250 255 255 255
**. Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (2-tailed). WhatsApp -.078 .160 -.033 -.491 .624
a. Dependent Variable: Self-concept
In regards to the relationship between self-concept and
Instagram the results were not statistically significant, weak Y= 4.550-0.186x1- 0.159x2-0.078x3
negative correlation between the self-concept and social
The study was conducted to determine the impact of social
media applications (r= -.077, n=250, p>.01), with Instagram
media sites on self-concept among adolescents. Self-concept
usage explaining 0.5% self-concept. This finding is similar to
was the key dependent variable that consisted of the ideal self,
that of Cheyanne, (2018) who observed a no statistical
role performance, body image and self-esteem. The results
difference in relation of Instagram and self-concept among
show that 1.1% of the variance in self-concept can be
adolescents.
accounted for by the use of the selected social media
The relationship between self-concept and WhatsApp is also applications collectively, F (3,246) =0.952, p>0.001.
presented in the table. The results were not statistically
Looking at the unique individual contributions of the
significant, a weak negative relationship is shown. The results
predictors, the results shows that WhatsApp (β=-.186, t= -
(r= .024. n=250, p>, 01), with WhatsApp usage explaining
1.242, p=0.216), Instagram (β=-.159, t= -1.182, p=0.248) and
0.05% of self-concept. A strong positive correlation is
Facebook (β=-.078, t= -0.49, p=0.624) negatively predict self-
observed from a study on use of social media among students,
concept. The results present that the independent variables
relation to self-concept and communication (Gitimu &
selected did not significantly contribute to the self-concept of
Megan, 2012).
the adolescents. The model created is not a good fit.
The relationship between Facebook and self-concept was
III. DISCUSSION
examined using the Pearson correlation techniques. The
results presented no statistical significance between the social The findings showed that adolescents do use the social media
media and self-concept. With (r=.059, n=250, p>.01), site to a large extent. The social media site is the fastest
Facebook usage explained self-concept at 0.3%. There is a growing site among the present sites (Iqbal, 2019). The media
significant relationship between Facebook and self-concept. site is praised due to its texting feature that allows users to
Facebook is observed to be a major influence on body image send messages to their loved ones and even classmates at no
among its users, one hour usage on this platform has led to a cost in some cases. Time spent on this application has also
decrease in self-concept score of an individual by 5.574 as been determined as 85 billion hours.
analyzed by Muqaddas & Nawaz (2017).
According to Yeboah & Ewur, (2014) respondents as young
as 15 years of age, were able to access and use the application
in their social circles. The social media addiction level of the

www.rsisinternational.org Page 845

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) |Volume V, Issue VII, July 2021|ISSN 2454-6186

adolescents towards WhatsApp was observed at a moderate Globally, in the Philippines a study by Labrague (2014) on
level. This indicates that the adolescents are consuming the Facebook use and adolescents‟ emotional states of depression,
social media at a balanced rate. This finding is linked to that anxiety and stress was conducted by the aid of a cross-
of Yeboah and Ewur (2014) who identified that they used sectional design, on 76 students enrolled in a nursing class.
WhatsApp to be „socially balanced‟. Findings emerged that there is a correlation between the time
spent on Facebook and depression as well as anxiety levels in
The use of the application was observed to have a negative
adolescents. The time spent on this platform appears to
correlation between class performance and the use of
increase the anxiety levels among adolescents most especially
WhatsApp platform. The negative correlation is also observed
if they view items that are not similar to their lifesyle, way of
in this study between overall self-concept and the use of
living, what they have or even what they are not able to have.
selected social media sites. The rate observed from the
regression model relating the use of WhatsApp and self- Mierzwa and Jurjewicz (2016) also concurs with his finding
concept was a negative predictor. The use of WhatsApp as an linked to Facebook and Anxiety. He argues that this platfrom
independent variable does not significantly contribute to the does not have a way of confirming the age bracket of
self-concept of the adolescents. individuals during the sign in section. Thus adolescents tend
to falsify their information so as to get access to the site.It was
In another study WhatsApp was found to affect the
observed that 53% of adolescents respondents believed that
psychological well-being of adolescents and their academic
their online presence had changed their personal
achievements. Regionally, a case study in Nigeria presented
behaviour.Out of this, 51% ackowledged that this behaviour
by Ernest et al (2017) focused on three hundred senior
had changed towards the negative side. The need to sleep and
secondary school students with a Correlational design. This
relax after the use of these sites is not experienced normally
revealed that there is a negative correlation between academic
and the respondents acknowledge that they feel depressed and
performance and the use of WhatsApp platform, it was
face anxiety once their access to social media sites is not
observed that a lot of the adolescents spend too much time on
accepted.
the devices.
The third most preferred social media site by adolescent users
The most preferred social media site among adolescents in
was Instagram. This platform is owned by Facebook and
selected Kajiado secondary schools emerged to be Facebook.
allows the users to share their pictures in real time on what
Facebook is a platform that enables the users to interact
their current events are. Authors reveal that there is a strong
through post and share emotions on specific ideas (Global
correlation between the use of Instagram and self-esteem. The
Digital Report, 2018). Research has shown that most
study presented that there is a moderate level of self-esteem
Facebook users are female and very few male users tend to
among the adolescents with the use of an overall statistics of
appreciate the platform. The responses from the data
social media. The correlation between the use of social media
highlighted that there is no significant difference between
sites and self-concept emerged as weak and negative.
gender and social media use, however the average mean of
social media usage of social media platforms was higher The regression efficient obtained from analysis of self-concept
among females than males. and the use of Instagram emerged as not significant. This
finding highlight that the adolescent users of this platform do
The platform is seen to restrict the use of the platform features
not use the platform to the extent of abuse. The respondents‟
to individuals who are less than 18 years as depicted by
body image which is a key feature when using this platform is
Global report (2018). This study presents the preference of
kept intact. Authors such as Kenny et al (2017) present that
this platform by users who are 15 years and above. The
peers have the potential to positively impact adolescent body
correlation between Facebook and self-concept among the
image by providing support to those who experience difficulty
adolescents is seen as a weak negative correlation. The
coping with their changing body and any criticism from
regression co-efficient obtained from running the independent
others.
and dependent variables is seen as not significant.
The concept of social comparison is a trend also
Studies globally have highlighted that there is a strong
observed among teenagers in South Africa. A study on
correlation between the use of Facebook and declined
Instagram use and eating attitudes and behaviors amongst
satisfaction levels of body image among adolescents. The
South African female adolescents authored by Torr (2018)
authors have continued to present that the platform features
examined 51 adolescents in the age bracket of 15-17 years. A
allow users to display pictures of themselves that may not
survey was employed in line with a linear multiple regression
necessarily depict the actual scenario. This display affects
analysis. Findings obtained were that despite the participation
their followers negatively and lead to decreased satisfaction
of the adolescents, either passive or direct participation,
levels of body image (Bearman, Presnell, Martinez, & Stice,
presented that adolescents are negatively affected after an
2006). This study has presented that among the self-concept
online presence. The types of body preferences presented
components body image is the strongest components with the
online are those that they cannot achieve and social
highest satisfaction rates.

www.rsisinternational.org Page 846

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) |Volume V, Issue VII, July 2021|ISSN 2454-6186

comparison is encouraged, creating more depressed, low self- [5] Creswell, J. (2011). Choosing a Mixed Methods Design. In J.
Creswell, Designing (pp. 58-88).
esteemed and anxiety filled female adolescents (Torr, 2018).
[6] Ernest-Ehibudu, I., & Victory Sira, T. (2017). Influence of
IV. CONCLUSION Whatsapp and Facebook Social Media Usage on Academic
Performance of Secondary School Students in Port Harcourt Local
Adolescence is a crucial stage in the development of Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria. IOSR Journal Of
Humanities And Social Science, 07-13.
human life where they have to adjust themselves to the [7] Gallagher, S. (2017). The influence of social media on teens' self-
changes taking place within them. They are easily influenced esteem. Theses and Dissertation, 1-57.
at this stage of development and their self-concept may be [8] Global Digital Report. (2018). Global Digital Report. Retrieved
fragile. An adolescent‟s inability to go through this stage April 4, 2019, from http://www.globaldigitalreport.com
[9] Granatino, R., & Haytko, D. (2013). Body Image, Confidence,
properly can have adverse effect on the individual especially And Media Influence:A Study Of Middle School Adolescents.
in this era of social media which is very popular among JABR Journal of Applied Business Research, 45-50.
adolescents and also has a great influence on them. [10] Iqbal, M. (2019, February Tuesday). Business of Applications.
Retrieved May Wednesday, 2019, from www.businessofapps.com
Even though Social media use allows the adolescent [11] Kombo, D., & Tromp, D. (2016). Proposal and Thesis Writing.
to communicate with others and help them build social Nairobi: Paulines.
network, they need the guidance of an adult to help them [12] Labrague, L. (2014). Facebook use and adolescents‟ emotional
states of depression, anxiety, and stress. Health science journal,
through these to avoid unnecessary exposure to the wrong 80-90.
crowd. Adolescents may sway towards conforming to what [13] Mayo Clinic. (2019). Retrieved March 18, 2019, from Mayo
the society considers ideal. This is usually linked to one‟s self- clinic: http//www.mayoclininc.org/disease
concept and social media with lack of a clear self- [14] Mierzwa, J., & Jurjewicz, H. (2016). Does Facebook,Twitter and
Instagram influence well-being and self-esteem among early
actualization on one‟s ideal self. Parental supervision is adolescents? Studia Socialia Cracoviensia, 137-152.
therefore needed especially in the use of social networking [15] Ministry of Education Kajiado County. (2019). Enrolment Rates
sites so that teenagers are more careful in presenting Kajiado North. Nairobi: Government of Kenya.
themselves. Parents, guardians and teachers have the duty to [16] Mpofu, E. (2010). Exploring the self-concept in an African
Culture. Journal of Genetic Psychology.
play an active role by guiding adolescents regarding self- [17] Mugenda, A., & Mugenda, O. (2010). Research MethodsAfrican
actualization, self-confidence, self-esteem and self- Centre for Technology Studies Press. Nairobi: African Centre for
recognition. Technology Studies Press.
[18] Muqaddas, J. S., & Nawaz, A. (2017). Impact of Social Media on
The study therefore recommends harnessing of social Self-Esteem. European Scientific Journal, 329-341.
media platforms as a socializing tool among adolescents since [19] Mussad, B. (2018). Social media: a literature review of its impact
on adolescents with mental health disorders. Journal of the
no significant correlation was found between social media and National Students Association of Medical Research, 36-44.
self-concept of adolescents despite the existing ban of use of [20] Ruigrok, A. (2014). Usage of Social Networking Sites and their
mobile phones among this population in Kenya. effects of self-esteem. Unpublished.
[21] Shetty, A., Rosario, R., & Hyder, S. (2015). The Impact of Social
REFERENCES Media on Youth. International Journal of Innovative Research in
Computer and Communication Engineering, 2-5.
[1] Ackerman, C. (2019, June 19). What is Self-Concept Theory? A [22] Soko Directory. (2018). Soko Directory. Retrieved April 4, 2019,
Psychologist Explains. Positive Psychology. from http://www.sokodirectory.com
[2] BBC. (2019, January 13). BBC News. Retrieved March 18, 2019, [23] Torr, E. (2018). Instagram use and eating attitudes and behaviours
from BBC.COM: htttp://www.bbc.com/news/amp amongst South African female adolescents. Unpublished, 1-51.
[3] Bearman, S. K., Presnell, K., Martinez, E., & Stice, E. (2006). The [24] Wanjru, S. (2003). Self-concept educational and occupational
Skinny on Body Dissatisfaction: A Longitudinal Study of choice: a case of secondary school girls in Muranga and Nairobi
Adolescent Girls and Boys. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, Districts,Kenya. Unpublished.
229-241. [25] Yeboah, J., & Ewur, D. (2014). The Impact of Whatsapp
[4] County Government of Kajiado. (2020). Low adult literacy levels. Messenger Usage on Students Performance in Tertiary Institutions
Nairobi: Government of Kenya. in Ghana. Journal of Education and Practice, 157-165.

www.rsisinternational.org Page 847