Boon or Bane: Social Media’s Role in Gender and Development Sensitivity of Students

Social media has changed the outlook of communication, encompassing vast geographical distances, since its influx in the early 2000’s. Every individual now already has access to various world cultures in the click of a finger. What they are is a fusion of different cultures and ideologies being channeled right through their electronic devices. With this deemed influence, this study investigated gender differences in terms of social media roles and gender sensitivity. Moreover, it sought to determine social media usage in terms of platforms used, contents of post, and motivations for using networking sites. On the other hand, the perceived impact of social media on gender sensitivity in terms of gender roles, personality traits, self-presentation, self-expression, and attitudes toward expectations and aspirations are likewise investigated. The quantitative method of research using descriptive design was used, and the significant differences among the variables are determined through t-test through responses gathered by complete enumeration. Conclusively, social media provides a space for empowerment, expression of users’ unique ideas, and networks to carve out one’s own identity, allowing users to hide their true self, and post personal achievements which are found to vary between genders.