Antecedents and Effects of Social Media Use in High School Students: A Latent Class Analysis

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Abstract

This study investigates the social media use of students (e.g., Instagram, TikTok) and its relationship with socio-demographic characteristics, math and science courses taken, STEM-related activities, and motivation. The sample comprised 1,411 senior high school students from a Charter School System in the southwest United States. Using latent class analysis (LCA), we identified three student subgroups based on social media use: Popular Social Media Users, Primarily Instagram and TikTok Users, and Other Users. Significantly fewer female students were found in the Primarily Instagram and TikTok Users group. This group also took more advanced math and science courses and participated more in STEM-related activities and competitions than the other groups. Additionally, they exhibited higher math self-efficacy compared to Popular Social Media Users.

Authors

• Adam Sahin, Harmony Public Schools

• Daijiazi Tang, University of Michgan

• Weihua Fan, University of Houston

• Erhan Delen, European Azerbaijan School