Digital Voices: The Role of Online Activism on Students’ Perspectives and Behavior toward Social Issues

In an era defined by digital connectivity, online activism has become a significant force in shaping discussions, particularly among the youth. This study investigates the influence of online activism on Senior High School students’ perspectives and behavior concerning social issues at Colegio de Sto. Tomas Recoletos, Inc. in the S.Y. 2023-2024. The study examines students’ engagement in online activism and its effects on their perceptions and behaviors related to social issues, considering factors such as sex and academic strand. 294 Senior High School students were respondents, randomly sampled from different year levels’ strands. Using a descriptive-comparative research design and Likert Scale questionnaires, data were collected and analyzed. Descriptive-comparative statistics, including T-tests and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), were employed to explore differences based on sex and academic strand. The results indicated a moderate (0.721) level of engagement in online activism, suggesting that students possess an average level of awareness and engagement with social issues through online platforms, irrespective of their academic strands. Regarding gender perspectives, females (0.585) were found to be significantly more likely to engage in online activism compared to males (0.643). However, no significant differences were observed in behavior towards social issues based on gender or academic strand. The study highlights how online activism shapes students’ perspectives and behaviors on social issues, emphasizing the need for educators to integrate digital literacy and advocacy into curricula. Further research is urged to explore this relationship, guiding future efforts in addressing digital-age challenges and opportunities.