SOCIAL MEDIA USAGE, STUDY HABITS, AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN MATHEMATICS AMONG JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

This study explored how social media usage, study habits and academic performance in Mathematics are connected among Junior High School students at Immaculate Conception Archdiocesan School Tetuan during the School Year 2026–2027. Using a descriptive‑correlational research design we collected data from 167 selected Grade 7 and Grade 8 Junior High School students by means of a questionnaire and by recording their Mathematics grades. Researcher used statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation together with Pearson correlation to analyze the data. The results revealed that Junior High School students sometimes engaged in media activities frequently spent time on social media and often practiced effective study habits. Their average Mathematics grade was 85.44, which indicates academic performance according to the study’s interpretation. Pearson correlation results showed no relationship between social media usage and Mathematics grades (r = −0.034 p = 0.659) or between study habits and Mathematics grades (r = −0.027 p = 0.726). However social media usage had a statistically significant positive relationship with study habits (r = 0.300, p < 0.001). The findings suggest that social media usage is linked to Junior High School students’ study habits yet it does not exhibit a linear relationship, with Junior High School students’ Mathematics grades. The study may assist educators in encouraging social media usage and in fostering effective study habits.