Description:
This study sought to assess the effects of social media on unplanned pregnancies among
Secondary schoolgirls. The study was guided by three specific objectives: to examine the
effects of social media on unplanned pregnancies, to examine problems that Secondary
school girls experience after delivering of unplanned pregnancies and to determine
intervention measures on the effects of social media on unplanned pregnancies among
Secondary school girls. The study is hinged on two theories; Social learning theory and
social cognitive theory. The study adapted descriptive survey research design. Target
population constituted of 563 people but only 150 were selected successfully. That was
115 form three and four students, 12 School girls victims from unplanned pregnancies
due to social media, 7 Heads of Secondary School teachers, 7 Ward Executive Officers, 7
Community Development Officers and 2 Secondary Education Officers. This was done
through stratified and Simple random sampling. Data were collected through
questionnaires and an interview guide. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive
tables while qualitative data were reported in form of narratives based on the themes of
investigation. The study established that access to social networking sites by students was
high with much focus on sexually explicit music, sex images, videos, sex texting and
student sex solicitation online and there was limited use directed to academic
information. The study, therefore, concluded that social media contributed to school girls
pregnancy among secondary school students in Busega District. The study recommends
that the school administration puts in place guidelines and regulations on usage of social
media within the schools and teachers should encourage students to use social media for
purpose of soliciting information relevant to education.