Social Network Thesis

APPROVAL SHEET
This thesis here entitled “Why do College Students post their personal information on the Social Network?”
Prepared and submitted by Midn. Mark Dennis C. Palapag in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the course English 4 (business correspondent and technical). It has been examined and recommended for acceptance and approval for this subject course.
Mrs. Eden Arenas
Professor
____________________________
Date Signed:
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

There are some people to thank for their part in the completion of this research study. Words cannot express my deepest gratitude for those who generously gave and spent their time and cooperation.
First and foremost, i would like to thank my family for their financial support, to my loved one who spent her time in helping and making this research inspite of her busy schedules, to my friends and band mates for their helpful suggestions.
Also to our instructor, Mrs. Eden Arenas for helping us out in this research, for her patience and assistance.
Without the help of these people for their unwavering support and encouragement, this work had never been completed.
And above all, I give praise to Jesus Christ who served as a right and guide in every endeavor, the greatest source of my strength. Because of his everlasting love, the completion of this research paper has been possible.
Thank you very much
The Author
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Chapter I
INTRODUCTION
Internet is a global connection of computers. it is an effective medium for posting, exchanging, and collecting informations. Nothing is almost impossible to it. Transmission of information from one person to another can happen within just a minute. Through it, people interact through the touch of their fingertips. It is accessible anywhere to anyone. As it evolves and become more advance and accessible, the number of internet users also grows rapidly. Like what Abias and Patungan 2002 said that during mid-nineties, according to a web article from VH1, only five million subscribe to the internet but now, who doesn’t have an email-address ? Millions of people log-in everyday for different purposes and as they continue exploring the internet they became more interested to it. Because things in the internet is always new. The internet have many uses, you can watch your favorite videos, play the latest music, search information, talk, chat to distant friends, and the most popular is that, you can engage in social networking. It only means that people have many reasons to surf the internet. Many people do everything to enjoy using the internet and they do that without knowing their responsibility in surfing the internet.
This study will determine the reasons of the internet users for posting their personal information on the internet. Users had the choice not to post their personal information on the internet but still, they choose to post it. It seems that this is an ordinary phenomena, but thinking that most of the user who post personal information on the internet doesn 't know the existing consequences that they might encounter in the future, it is alarming. People may put their selves in a situation that they might regret unconsciously in posting their personal information on the internet. Also, irresponsible handling of information can increase the number of cyber crimes.
This research will try to gather information that will surely benefit internet users especially those who post their personal data’s in the internet and this will measure their awareness in the possible effects of problems that they might encounter
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The internet is a great way to keep in contact with people that we love. It is also a great way to share pictures, information about ourselves and to meet new people. Social networking sites are splashed all over the place. Famous sites such as MySpace, Twitter, Facebook and Classmates are a great way to find old friends as well. We don 't think much about the possible risks involved with posting our personal information on these websites. We are having too much fun to worry about it. It is worth taking a few minutes to weigh in those risk factors though.
As of today, Facebook has 564,121,840, global members, including myself. Facebook makes it easy to network and share photos with our friends, family and the rest of the world. Virtually all of us are aware of Facebook’s dubious privacy issues, but few of us ever think twice before sharing such information and wondering who‘s looking at it. Yes, we try to protect ourselves against online predators and internet scams, but there are other ways our profile information can be used against us, and once you become aware of these seemingly unknown dangers it might make you think twice about what information you ultimately want to share on Facebook. After researching books, newspaper, magazine articles and countless websites, I myself was surprised to discover that the pictures, wall posts, and overall information we share on the site can be used against us legally, it could cost us our job, or even keep us from being admitted to our dream school.
For those of you who don’t know, yes, any photo you post on your Facebook profile or anyone else’s photo you are tagged in can be taken down and be admissible in a court of law as evidence against you.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The study will determine the reasons of internet users especially the College students in posting their personal information on the internet. Moreover, this study will measure the awareness level of college students on the possible consequences that they might encounter. The study aims to answer the following questions:
1. Why do College students post their personal information’s on the internet?
2. In what particular services of the internet do they post their personal information’s?
3. What are the effects or consequences that they might encounter in posting their personal information’s on the internet?
SCOPE AND DELIMITATIONS
The study will attempt to determine the reasons that influence internet users to post their personal information on the internet and will also try to know the services and nature of the internet that somehow affects the users.
The study will measure the awareness level of the internet users on the effects in posting personal information on the internet. But I will not furthermore discuss the effects.
There are forty respondents in this study. The respondents were the MPCF college students who are enrolled this first semester of the school year 2012-2013.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The result of the study will benefit the following groups and individuals:
· INTERNET USERS. The study will reveal the current realities or consequences that the users might encounter. The study will also assist and gain the users awareness on the effects in posting their personal information on the internet.
· NON-INTERNET USERS. The study will help those people who are not yet engaged in any internet activity and are planning to be a part of the growing statistics of internet users. This study will serve as a guide and will make them aware to the consequences in using the internet, especially in posting personal information.
· PARENTS. Children now in early age are engaged in using internet. Parents can use this study as a guide to teach their children about the proper handling of the users information on the internet and their limits.
· FUTURE RESEACHERS. The study will serve as a material and source of information that they can use in studying related topics.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
CHAT - an internet chat room or instant messaging system.
CYBER CRIME - refers to any crime that involves a computer and a network. The computer may have been used in the commission of a crime, or it may be the target. Net crime refers more precisely, to criminal exploitation of the internet. Issues surrounding this type of crime have become high-profile, particularly those surrounding hacking, copyright infringement, child pornography, and child grooming.
E-MAIL ADDRESS - identifies an email box to which email messages are delivered.
INTERNET - is a global system of interconnected computer networks that uses the standard Internet Protocol Suite (TCP/IP) to serve billions of users worldwide. it is a network of networks that consists of millions of private, public, academic, business and government networks, of local to global scope, that are linked by a broad array of electronic, wireless and optical networking technologies.
INFORMATION - any kind of event that affects the state of dynamical system. In its most restricted technical sense, it is an ordered sequence of quantities or a wave.
LOG IN - in computer security, a login or logon is the process by which individual access to a computer system is controlled by identification of the user using credentials provided by the user.
LOG OFF - a user can log in to a system to obtain access and can then log out or log off when access is no longer needed. To log out is to close off one 's access to a computer system after having previously logged in.
POST - an end "surfing the Web", slang for exploring the World Wide Web (www.)
SURF - an acronym for "Speeded up Robust features", a computer vision algorithm
SOCIAL NETWORK - it is a social structure made up of individuals called "nodes", which are tied by one or more specific types of interdependency such as friendship, kinship, common interest, financial exchange, dislikes, sexual relationships or beliefs, knowledge or prestige.
END NOTES We use the Internet more than ever – to conduct business, connect with our family and friends, shop and manage our finances, its important be savvy about safety online. The million-and-one ways in which the Internet can be useful, efficient and fun are well known. Its potential for abuse by pornographers, phishes, scammers and spammers has also been apparent since its early days. What has taken a bit more time to emerge, however, is awareness of the Internet 's increasing threat to privacy as people become more comfortable offering information about themselves online. The most vulnerable victims of private-information-sharing behaviour are preteens and early teenagers. There have been age restrictions put on numerous websites but how effective they are is debatable. Findings have discovered that informative opportunities regarding internet privacy as well as concerns from parents, teachers, and peers, play a significant role on impacting the internet user’s behaviour towards online privacy. Additionally, other studies have also found that the heightening of adolescents’ concern towards their privacy will also lead to a greater probability that they will utilize privacy-protecting behaviours. In the technological culture that society is developing into, not only adolescents’ and parent’s awareness should be raised, but society as a whole should acknowledge the importance of online privacy.
Chapter II
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES
People from all socio-economic backgrounds routinely used internet. They have the freedom to browse and download internet contents, shop-online, chat with remote friends like in UZZAP and post personal information (true or false) to any internet service like in www.Facebook.com, a social networking website. For some reason, people continue using internet every day. Even though they are unaware that using internet causes changes towards their attitudes. A study shows that (Ferin, 2009) using internet really causes a major shift in the user 's attitudes towards leisure time entertainment. Because the internet almost contains everything that will surely entertain the users. Users can do online gaming, watch their favorite videos, download latest songs and photos, and can shop online, with lesser time and efforts than going personally to the Movie Theater and shopping malls.
Internet users (McQuade III and Samuel, 2007), unfortunately, with some factors affecting them to post and continue posting their personal information without really understanding the consequences that they might encounter in the future. The fact that they are contented and satisfied to the entertainment that they get in using the internet, they do not mind the possibilities that will happen in the future. Because of this internet addiction is not impossible to the users; the sad part is that they are unconsciously influenced by the internet. (Abias and Patungan, 2006). Some internet users are drooling over pornography, others are abandoning legal partner for the chta-room lovers, and others are losing their life saving for the on-line gambling. Users are unaware that there are some certain internet aspects that may bring them to trouble they might otherwise avoid.
But why is that users kept on posting information on the internet? Even though users have the choice not to post their personal information on the internet. According to (Ferin, 2009), man has a hierarchy of needs, including the psychological needs for community. Although modernization broke communities apart creating a sense of individualism the evolution of need for community remains, and through the use of online social networks, human beings continue to fill this need. In order for the users to comply in this need, they post informations on the internet. Because before a communication takes place, exchange of information must be present. Users try to extend their need of communication. They are being open to the possibility of on-line relationship. (Ferin, 2007) said that before they form relationship, there must be first the disclosure of information or discussed various topics.
Relation formed on-line will be the best example that will show that internet influences the users in some certain aspects. They are unaware that the information that they post on the internet is their responsibility, they must take the risk of the potential consequences of sharing the intimate details or photographs with the world. The worst is that according to the article of (Ferin, 2009), 40% out of 50% teens who received sexually suggestive message via e-mail have sent similar nature to their girlfriends/boyfriends or have posted it on-line, despite of their knowledge of the risk involved. It makes users personally more forward and aggressive expecting that trade of sexually explicit photos can leads to dating or sex.

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
CONSTRUCTIVE THEORIES
Social constructivism is a sociological; theory of knowledge that applies the general philosophical constructions’ into social settings, wherein groups constructs knowledge for one another, collaboratively creating a small culture of shared artifacts with shared meanings. When one is immersed within a culture of this sort, one is learning all the time about how to be a part of that culture on many levels. Its origins are largely attributed to Lev Vygotsky.
THE FIELD TEHORIES
The field theory in social network analysis as a suitable technique for analyzing fields’ and he prescribed correspondence analysis. There are no fundamental technical differences between the two methods:
- Social network analysis can produce spatial diagrams that are very similar to correspondence maps. Bordieu 's problem with network analysis concerns the kind of relations that should be analyzed:
- Objective relations instead of the interpersonal relations usually studied in social network analysis. This paper discusses the difference between the two types of relation and it argues that interpersonal relations mediate and transform the effect of objective relations. Network analysis is needed for investigating the process, which may help to further integrate Bordieu 's field theory of practice.
SENSORY STIMULATION THEORY
Traditional sensory stimulation theory has as its basic premise that effective learning occurs when the senses are stimulated (Laird, 2985). Laird quotes research found that the vast majority of knowledge held by adults (75%) is learned through seeing. Hearing is the next most effective about (13%) and other senses - touch, smell and taste account for (12%) of what we know. By stimulating the senses, especially the visual sense, learning can be enhanced. However, this theory says that if multi-senses are stimulated, greater learning takes place. Stimulation through the senses is achieved through a greater variety of colors, volume levels, strong statements, facts presented visually, use of variety of techniques and media.
REVIEW OF RELATED STUDIES During the old days when teens spent hours alone in their rooms or with close friends dancing in front of the mirror, playing outside their houses, trying different outfits and modelling around the corner; trying on different personas in person is out, the web deletes the middle man. Now, there are a variety of online social media applications to enable communication between adolescents. Due to the ego-centric nature of these applications, social networking sites allow adolescents to extend their true personalities to the online world while also adding onto them. The impersonal nature of communicating from behind a computer screen can allow adolescents to create a completely new and unrestrained personality that they would never show in real life. Personal web pages give teens the control to present themselves in whatever way they choose to an actual audience that’s also controllable and far less intimidating than showing up in person to try out a new possible identity (Schmitt et al., 2008). Social networking sites were first established in 1995. Its purpose was focused on bringing people together to interact with each other through chat rooms and share personal information and ideas around any topics through personal homepage publishing tools. Today, social networking sites are taking the internet by storm and are causing dramatic change in the way society connects and interacts with each other. Daily new sites are being created and are capturing the attention of people and businesses worldwide. The Internet has quickly become the most expeditious, central means of communication and access to information so it makes perfect sense that this trend in media would trickle down to impact the lives of youth everywhere. There are numerous reasons why the internet has become the chosen means by which adolescents discover their identity. Adolescents find that the internet and social personal web pages offer them a safe place to try on different ‘hats’ or try out new personalities without the fear of rejection or embarrassment and the normal risks associated with real life trials of the same magnitude (Schmitt et al., 2008). The internet, especially sites like Facebook offer prominent places for youth to put themselves out there in a textural/multimedia forum for others to see.
Chapter III

METHODOLOGY
Graph 1. The reasons why internet users post their personal information on the internet
The Graph above shows the reasons why internet users post their personal information on the internet and the corresponding vote of the respondents. The data indicates that "SELF-EXPRESSION" is their primary purpose why they keep on posting on the internet, 33 out of 40 respondents said that in posting their personal information, they can express their selves. While "EDUCATION" is their least reason in posting their personal data, because 7 out of 40 respondents considered it as least reason in posting personal information’s on the internet.

Graph 2. Internet services where respondents commonly post their personal information
The graph above shows the internet services and the numbers of respondents that corresponds to the internet service on which they post personal information’s. Based on the data above, majority of the respondents post their personal information on a "SOCIAL NETWOKING" sites. 39 out of 40 respondents said that they post personal data on a social networking site than to other internet services like video related sites which have the least number of respondents. 3 out of 40 respondents preferred to post their information on video related sites.

Table 1. Factors that influences internet users on posting personal information on the internet.
The table above shows some factor that influence internet users on posting their personal information on the internet and the corresponding ranks of the respondents. A respondent ranks the factors that influence internet users from 1 to 5 where 1 is the highest and 5 is the lowest. The data indicates that the factor "FRIENDS" has the highest votes in the ranking. 22 out of 40 respondents ranked it as the highest factor that affects influences them. Compared to "friends" which got zero votes for the lowest ranking. The factor "FAMILY" got the highest votes in the lowest ranking, 24 out of 40 respondents ranked it as the lowest factor compared to "COMMERCIAL" which got only 1 out of 40 respondents. This means that the family does not really affect/influences users in posting data on the internet.

Table II - Possible Consequences that internet users might encounter in posting their personal information on the internet.
The table above shows the consequences that internet users might encounter in posting their personal information on the internet and the corresponding rankings that the respondents ranked. The majority of respondents believe that in posting personal data, it might reunite them into their old friends. Because 25 out of 40 respondents votes the highest rank compared to "Can be used by other people in committing crimes", which only got 9 out of 40 votes. Majority of the respondents also believe that providing opportunity for exchanging sexually explicit photos has the least possibility that they might encounter it in posting personal information. Because it has the highest votes for the lowest ranking, 9 out of 40 respondents. Compared to "Attract new friends", which has the lowest votes of 1 out of 40 respondents for the lowest ranking.
Chapter IV
CONCLUSION, SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATION
· Why do College students post their personal information on the internet?
CONCLUSION:
There are several reasons why an internet user posts his/her personal information on the internet. Based on the conducted study most of the respondents post their information on the internet because they want to express their selves. It indicates that internet had really a big job in expression on the user 's point of view. Nowadays, internet really affects the behavior or mentality of the user. Users now see the interest as new window where they can display or express their selves.
· In what particular service of the internet do they post their personal information?
CONCLUSION:
Internet has several services where user can post their personal information’s. The study found out that most popular internet service to the users where they post their personal information is the social networks sites; social network service focuses on building online communities of people who share interest or activities and also the activities of others. A social network service is web-based and provides a variety of ways for users to interact such as email instant messaging service.
· What is their level of awareness regarding to the effects of posting their personal information on the internet?
CONCLUSION:
Based on the study, internet users are not really aware to understand the possible consequences that they might encounter in posting their personal information on the internet. Only the common possible consequences are known by the users and these consequences are commonly belonged to some of the objectives of a social network sites; in which most of the respondents post their information, like in finding new friends.
RECOMMENDATION
The researcher recommends that the user must first know and understand the scope of the responsibility and regulations of a certain internet service in handling their information. Because most of the internet services are not liable to the information that is posted by the user. User must observe and have a background check about the services offered. There is nothing wrong in expressing yourself through the use of internet, but user must understand and have knowledge of the possible consequences that they might engage with in posting their personal information on the internet. Users must practice the proper way of handling personal information’s on the web. They can use the internet to deepen their knowledge about the consequences in posting their personal information’s.
PROCEDURE
The researcher personally distributed and retrieved the questionnaire to the respondents. Before answering the questionnaire the researcher make sure that the respondents is engage in any internet activity and clearly understands the questionnaire before responding to it. Inside or outside the campus, the researcher collected information as long as the respondents are MPCF College students who are enrolled in the first semester of this school year 2012-2013.
RECOMMENDATION
The researcher recommends that the user must first know and understand the scope of the responsibility and regulations of a certain internet service in handling their information. Because most of the internet services are not liable to the information that is posted by the user. User must observe and have a background check about the services offered. There is nothing wrong in expressing yourself through the use of internet, but user must understand and have knowledge of the possible consequences that they might engage with in posting their personal information on the internet. Users must practice the proper way of handling personal information’s on the web. They can use the internet to deepen their knowledge about the consequences in posting their personal information’s.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bautista, J. (2009, June 3). Techie mommy talks: Our kids and technology. Manila Bulletin Tech101, p.10.
Buendia, J. & De Leon, I. (2006, March). relationships formed in on-line chat vary in several levels. Undergraduate thesis: Levels of relationships formed in on-line chat communities, p.50
Ferin, C. (2009, January 21). Open notes: Does technology change out attitudes towards sex ? Manila Bulletin Tech101, p.3
Ferin, C. (2009, April 29). Open notes: What makes people tweet ? Manila Bulletin Tech101,. p2.
Francisco, A. (2009, June#). Paying for online content. Manila bulletin Tech101, p.8.
Abais and Patungan, A. (2006, March) Undergraduate thesis: Message Board Phenomenon: Online forums as a tool for global communication as perceive by the DENDEN forums community, p.2.
Mcquade III and Samuel, C. (2007). WE must educate young people about cybercrime before they start college (electronic version). Chronicle of higher education. Vol. 53 issue
APPENDICES
RESPONDENT PROFILE

Name: (optional)_______________________________________________________ ( surname ) ( given name ) ( middle name )

Address:______________________________________________________________
Age:________________ Birthday:__________________ Gender:_________
School:_______________________________________________________________

Survey Questionare
1- excellent 2- Very Good 3 - Good 4 - Satisfactory 5 - Poor
1. Which of the following are the best reason why student post their personal data ?
a. attract viewers
b. self-expression
c. entertainment
d. communication
e. education
2. Which of the following are the best intenet services that are commonly used by a student ?
a. searching information sites
b. video related sites
c. chatting
d. social networking
3. Does the internet services can be addicted to the students ?
4. Does internet helps a students ?
5. Is social network good for a student ?

Bibliography: Bautista, J. (2009, June 3). Techie mommy talks: Our kids and technology. Manila Bulletin Tech101, p.10. Buendia, J. & De Leon, I. (2006, March). relationships formed in on-line chat vary in several levels. Undergraduate thesis: Levels of relationships formed in on-line chat communities, p.50 Ferin, C Ferin, C. (2009, April 29). Open notes: What makes people tweet ? Manila Bulletin Tech101,. p2. Francisco, A. (2009, June#). Paying for online content. Manila bulletin Tech101, p.8. Abais and Patungan, A. (2006, March) Undergraduate thesis: Message Board Phenomenon: Online forums as a tool for global communication as perceive by the DENDEN forums community, p.2. Mcquade III and Samuel, C. (2007). WE must educate young people about cybercrime before they start college (electronic version). Chronicle of higher education. Vol. 53 issue APPENDICES