SOCIAL NETWORK SITES AND STUDENTS DISCIPLINE IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN NAIVASHA SUB COUNTY, NAKURU COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of social network sites (SNS) to secondary school students‟ discipline in Naivasha Sub-County, Kenya. The study was guided by the following research questions: For what purposes do students use the various accessible social networks? How does the access of SNS affect the discipline of the students? What are the challenges of instilling discipline to students, arising from access to SNS? What are the suggestions for curbing negative use of Social Networks? The study was grounded by the gratification theory developed by Elihu Katz, Jay Blumer and Micheal Gurevitch. A convergent parallel design was used to collect both qualitative and quantitative data. Study targeted 40 deputy head teachers, 40 guiding and counseling teachers and the 3,050 students from form 3 and 4 of the 40 public secondary schools. Probability and non-probability sampling techniques were used to determine the sample size of the participants. The probability sampling techniques used were simple random and stratified random sampling, while the non-probability technique used was purposive sampling technique. Sample size for the research were 10 deputy head teachers, 10 guidance and counseling teachers and 305 form 3 and 4 students. Data were collected through questionnaires, interview schedules and document analysis guide. Quantitative data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages, while qualitative data were summarized in themes and presented in narrative form as well as raw data excerpts. Findings showed that students use various social networks for the purposes of entertainment, seeking information and keeping up with the current affairs, making friends and dating purposes. The students received negative influence such as cyber bulling and sexual advances through dating that negatively impacted their discipline. From the findings, the researcher concluded that social networks affected students discipline through missing of classes, bullying others, disrespect for authority, disrespect for parents and participation in strikes. The study recommended that school management should liaise with teachers to educate the students on the dangers of the various SNS through guidance and counseling talks and discussions. Principals should reinforce spot checks in the dormitories to deter students from carrying phones to school.