Social Media Addiction and Self-Esteem in relation to Gender of Students

Authors

  • Sonam Zam Ministry of Education
  • Tashi Dendup College of Natural Resources, Royal University of Bhutan
  • Karma Tenzin Ministry of Education

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17102/bjrd.rub.11.1.028

Keywords:

secondary students, self-esteem, addiction, social media

Abstract

Youth worldwide are increasingly exposed to social media and its consequences, and Bhutanese children are no exception. Owing to limited studies on the impacts of social media on students in Bhutan, this study investigates self-esteem and social media addiction, considering the gender of the students in the Zilukha Middle Secondary School, Thimphu, Bhutan. Out of 327 students, data were collected from 180 students (90 males and 90 females) using proportionate random sampling. The t-tests results revealed no significant difference in the social media addiction and self-esteem between male and female students. The study also found a significantly negative correlation between social media addiction and self-esteem of students. As social media addiction and self-esteem scores did not significantly differ between male and female students, parents and teachers need to monitor the use of social media by students irrespective of their gender. Similar studies in other parts of the country, particularly representing students in rural areas, are recommended for new social media addiction and self-esteem insights.

Author Biographies

Sonam Zam, Ministry of Education

Sonam Zam is a mathematics teacher at Kuzhugchen Middle Secondary School, Thimphu, Bhutan. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in Education (Secondary Science) from Samtse College of Education and M.Sc. in Applied Mathematics from Mahidol University, Thailand. Her research interests include theory, research and practices related to mathematics education and other issues related to students.

Tashi Dendup, College of Natural Resources, Royal University of Bhutan

Tashi Dendup is an Associate Lecturer at the Department of Sustainable Development, College of Natural Resources, Royal University of Bhutan, Punakha, Bhutan. He did his M.Sc. Agriculture (Economics) from the Khon Kaen University, Thailand. He is interested in social science research (e.g., entrepreneurship, agribusiness, farmers' groups).

Karma Tenzin, Ministry of Education

Karma Tenzin obtained his bachelor's degree in Political Science and Sociology from Sherubtse College; and a Post Graduate Diploma in Guidance and Counselling and Master of Arts in Contemplative Counselling and Psychology from Samtse College of Education. He is currently working as a school guidance counsellor at Zilukha Middle Secondary School, Thimphu Thromde.

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Published

16-06-2022

How to Cite

Zam, S., Dendup, T. ., & Tenzin, K. . (2022). Social Media Addiction and Self-Esteem in relation to Gender of Students. Bhutan Journal of Research and Development, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.17102/bjrd.rub.11.1.028