Introduction
The discussion of social media’s effects on children’s lives has become a major contentious debate all over the world. Several types of research have linked social media with positive impacts on the lives of young people, although a few studies reveal its negative effect. The world is recording significant changes due to innovation and the emergence of cutting-edge technologies. The study of the impacts of social media on young individuals is relevant as social research because of the effects of technology on children’s interaction. The research is feasible since it encompasses all the relevant factors such as legal and technological attributes.
The research topic is empirical because the impacts of social media are experienced in contemporary society and are not based on theory. Addressing the issues about the effects of social media directly concerns the structure, development, and operation of the human society hence the research topic is sociological.
Quantitative Research Question
Quantitative research entails the collection and evaluation of numerical data. The research question is quantitative because it finds patterns and makes predictions numerically (Apuke, 2017). The research also tests for causal associations between social media and children’s social lives as well as their interactions with others. Social media is the independent variable, while the impact it has on children is the dependent variable.
Effects on children who use social media platforms vary from one child to another, depending on the frequency of usage. Parents’ opinions on the impacts of social media on their children’s interactions with others also depend on children’s frequency of social media interaction. Other extraneous variables affecting the experiment results are financial status and the kind of parenting a child is given. Different financial status in families is likely to have a variety of impacts on how children access the internet and social media platforms. How parents raise children and the guidelines they offer to them on social media effects can also determine their interactions with others.
The hypothesis is
- H0: According to parents, social media has no impact on children’s interactions with others.
- H1: According to parents, social media has an impact on children’s interactions with others.
The use of quantitative research design alone cannot suffice to achieve the study’s goals and objectives. The research question is qualitative because it entails collecting and assessing non-numerical information to understand how social media affects boys and girls (Mohajan, 2018). Social media are the independent variables, while boys and girls using different platforms are dependent variables. The technology’s effects may also vary depending on age. For instance, five-year-old children may be impacted differently by social media compared to 15-years-old children.
The hypothesis is
- H0: There is no significant difference between the social media impacts on girls’ and boys’ interaction.
- H1: There is a significant difference between the social media impacts on girls’ and boys’ interactions.
Measurement
The research will be centered on children between the ages of 5-and 15 years to identify the impacts social media has on them. Parents can provide substantial information about the effects of the internet on their children since they spend more time together. Some of the causes of social media impacts on children include addiction, peer pressure, and parental upbringing, amongst other extraneous variables. However, the research will focus more on the effects rather than the causes of behavioral change.
Empirical indicators of social media’s impacts on children can be measured using academic performance, their participation in co-curricular and social activities, respect children have for their parents and friends, and their personal growth and development. For instance, overindulgence in social media can reduce a child’s academic concentration hence lowering their grades. Children can spend more time on social media hence impeding their potential talents. Misconduct exacerbated by peers from social media can make a child misbehave and engage in disrespectful activities at home or school. Empirical indicators of social media impacts on children are reliable and valid since they will provide realistic and required results.
Quantitative Probability Sampling
The target population for the research will be children who have access to social media, and the units of analysis are parents, children, and social media platforms. The sampling frame entails requesting parents with children who use smartphones and tablets to express their observations on how social media affects the children’s behavior. Also, permission can be requested from parents for the researcher to have a direct conversation with children using smartphones and tablets. Simple random sampling will be the appropriate sampling design because it will be applied to parents with children of age 5-15 years. The sampling technique will entail random identification of parents with children who use social media regularly.
Qualitative Nonprobability Sampling
The sampling unit will be social media, children, and parents who have children with access to smartphones and tablets. The target population will be boys and girls between the ages of 5-and 15 years, and the sampling design will be a quota sampling method.
Procedures for quota sampling
- Dividing the population into various subgroups based on age.
- Identifying children as the main respondents and their parents.
- Selecting appropriate sample size for each subgroup.
- Ensuring each subgroup of participants has the characteristics required to conduct the research.
References
Apuke, O. (2017). Quantitative research methods: A synopsis approach. Kuwait Chapter of Arabian Journal of Business and Management Review, 6(11), 40-47. Web.
Mohajan, H. (2018). Qualitative research methodology in social sciences and related subjects. Journal of Economic Development, Environment and People, 7(1), 23. Web.